NEW DELHI: Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat in the fourth Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday. As previously reported by TimesofIndia.com, India fielded two spinners in their XI and selected Nitish Kumar Reddy over Shubman Gill.
That decision became official during the toss at a vibrant MCG.
India skipper Rohit Sharma explained the team composition, saying, “We would have batted as well, looks like a good wicket. The series is 1-1, a lot to play for; it gives us a perfect opportunity to show what we are as a team. Whatever situation lies in front of you, you have to fight. It’s a new day, and we are looking forward to it.”
On the changes in the playing XI, Rohit confirmed: “We have one change – Gill misses out and Washington comes in. (On whether he will bat at the top of the order) Yes, I will.”
After winning the toss, Cummins wasted no time in deciding to bat first.
“We gonna have a bat today,” said Cummins. “There’s a bit of grass like an old MCG wicket, looks nice and firm. It’s been a great series so far. (On what it means to play on Boxing Day) As a child in Australia, when you wake up, you have a good night’s sleep after Christmas, and you look forward to the first ball. Sam will open the batting, and Scott also comes in for Hazlewood.”
Playing XIs:
Australia: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.
The five-match series is locked at 1-1.
India won the first Test in Perth with a dominant 295-run win.
Australia responded with a victory in Adelaide, leveling the series.
The third Test in Brisbane ended in a draw, leaving the Boxing Day Test pivotal for both sides.
