India dropped both their struggling openers and opted for the left-arm spin of Ravindra Jadeja for the Boxing Day test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
This is India’s bid to reclaim the lead in the four-match series.
Radio NZ reports, openers Lokesh Rahul and Murali Vijay have paid the price for putting together just one double-digit stand at the halfway point of the four-test series.
Mayank Agarwal will make his test debut with spinning all-rounder Hanuma Vihari joining him in a new-look opening pair.
Australia have recalled all-rounder Mitchell Marsh at the expense of middle order batsman Peter Handscomb in the only change to the side who won the Perth test by 146 runs.
The series will shift to Sydney for the finale beginning on the 3rd of next month.
