Thu Dec 26 01:50:00 UTC 2024: **India Drops Shubman Gill for Fourth Test Against Australia**

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – A surprise change to India’s batting order rocked the Boxing Day Test as Shubman Gill was dropped from the playing XI for the fourth Test against Australia. Replacing Gill is spin all-rounder Washington Sundar. This shift has led to speculation about captain Rohit Sharma’s batting position. While Sharma confirmed he would bat in the top order, his exact slot—opening or number three—remains unclear, though the official team sheet lists him at number three. This leaves KL Rahul as another contender for the number three spot. Therefore, Yashasvi Jaiswal is likely to open with Rohit Sharma.

Australia, having won the toss and opted to bat, also made two changes to their team. As previously announced, Sam Conners made his debut replacing Nathan McSwiney. Scott Boland replaced the injured Josh Hazlewood.

**Playing XIs:**

**Australia:** Usman Khawaja, Sam Conners, 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

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