Rohit Sharma set to open in 2024-25 BGT 4th Test as India mull major batting order shuffle - Reports 

Team India skipper Rohit Sharma will reportedly return to the top of the order for the Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne. The right-handed batter had featured in the middle order in the last two Tests, without any meaningful returns, while KL Rahul opened the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal.

According to a report by The Times of India, Rohit Sharma's switch to the top means that KL Rahul will slot down to No. 3, while Gill will move down to the lower-middle order. This marks the first time that Gill will play below No. 3 in international cricket.

Like Rohit, Gill had also missed the series opener and has struggled for runs in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series 2024-25. The right-handed batter had a couple of decent starts in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide before he was dismissed for one run, courtesy of an ill-fated shot in Brisbane.

During the pre-match press conference on Tuesday, December 24, Rohit Sharma refused to elaborate on the batting order. KL Rahul's stellar performance in Perth and Gill's run at No. 3 meant that the skipper assumed a role in the middle order for the first time since 2018.

"Let’s not worry about who bats where. Something that we need to figure and not something I would be discussing here. We will do what is best for the team," Rohit said (via Times of India).

The last time KL Rahul batted at No. 3 was during the opening Test of the 2018 tour of England in Edgbaston. He also featured in the position in his debut Test in Melbourne during the 2014-15 tour. Overall, he has scored 88 runs at No. 3 in five innings at an average of 17.60.

Team India considering fielding Washington Sundar as the second spinner

Despite the MCG's recent reputation of becoming a fast-paced wicket, Team India are contemplating the two-spinner formula for the Boxing Day Test. With Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement, one of Tanush Kotian and Washington Sundar could play alongside Ravindra Jadeja. Sundar is the current favorite, having played in Perth already.

In-form all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy might have to make way to accommodate Sundar in the playing XI.

The fourth Test between India and Australia is scheduled to begin from Thursday, December 26, onwards at the MCG.