4 changes India should make for the Boxing Day MCG Test

#2 Parthiv Patel for KL Rahul

Rahul has found new ways to get out in Australia

Another opener who is in an abysmal run of form, KL Rahul has not played one note-worthy inning save for his 149 against England in the final Test earlier this year. That innings secured his place for the Australia series but yet again, the Karnataka batsman has not justified his position.

While Rahul has always been an attacking batsman, he looks mighty short of confidence at the moment and his dismissal in the second innings at Perth only sums up how indecisive he has been. Bar an explosive 44 in the first Test, he has not got the runs nor has stuck around long enough to build a platform for the middle-order to build on.

Vijay and Rahul are essentially free wickets for the Aussies at the moment. While Agarwal can be brought in to replace Vijay, Rahul should be replaced by Parthiv Patel. He has opened in the past for India and is also a more seasoned campaigner who understands what the team needs.

An added advantage is that he is that Patel can keep wickets, which means that he can replace Pant too. We shall explain why he should be dropped in the next slide.