Hat-trick in sight

The wait has seemed interminable the buildup artificially fractious The long gap between the third and fourth Tests has allowed players to regroup physically and mentally to revisit strategies to steal the early march in what has now effectively become a twoTest seriesRiding the punchesThe immediate aim is to aspire for the BorderGavaskar Trophy which has been in Indiarsquos possession since they defeated Australia at home in 2017 The first fiveTest series between the sides since 199192 is delicately balanced at 11 the hosts looking stronger overall but India hanging in there riding the punches and now looking to land a few of their own as they return to the Melbourne Cricket Ground where four of their 10 Test wins in Australia have comeThe Boxing Day Test at the lsquoGrsquo is one of cricketrsquos most eagerly awaited occasions and tickets for Thursdayrsquos Day One sold like hot cakes from the time they were made available The atmosphere is certain to be electric and the temperature is expected to touch a vastly uncomfortable 40 degrees Centigrade which means unless one is strong of mind and steelywilled the MCG isnrsquot the place to beItrsquos imperative therefore to land the early blows and make the first statements Towards that end India might reconsider opening the batting again with their inspirational captain who has been short of runs in the recent past Rohit Sharma sliding up the order to open the batting wonrsquot be the worst option but that will necessitate a rejig to the batting order if India aspire to keep KL Rahul clearly their best batter of the series in the top half Itrsquos a risk worth taking for the right reasons though it remains to be seen whether India do go down that route and if so how that comes offChasing vital WTC pointsThere has been speculation that India might reinforce their bowling resources by opting for a fifth specialist at the expense of Nitish Kumar Reddy Nitish has weighed in with useful runs in all five innings but his brisk mediumpace hasnrsquot been used more than sparingly Washington Sundarrsquos offspin and Prasidh Krishnarsquos backoflength mode at no little pace are options to consider as India chase vital World Test Championship points like their opponents But if India do go with Prasidh especially they will need their batters to give a far better account of themselves than they have so farAustralia have announced two changes to the XI which squared up in Brisbane One of them is forced Josh Hazlewood making way for Scott Boland after picking up a calf strain that will keep him out of the SCG Test too next week The other is tactical the precocious 19yearold Sam Konstas braced for his debut as opener after the experiment with Nathan McSweeney was jettisoned by the selectorsKonstas made a century for a Prime Ministerrsquos XI against the Indians in Canberra earlier this month but that attack was without Jasprit Bumrah by a distance the best bowler of the series This will be a baptism of fire for the U19 star rated very highly as evidenced by the fact that he is the fourth youngest Australian to play Test cricket The MCG strip has changed in character since India last played and won here in 2020 Rohit and his team must adapt rapidly as they aspire for a hattrick at the lsquoGrsquo