India have responded dramatically to their loss to Australia in Perth, remarkably dropping both of their openers among three changes for the Boxing Day Test.
India announced their XI on the eve of the third Test at the MCG, dropping KL Rahul and Murali Vijay as well as paceman Umesh Yadav.
Star offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin has again been ruled out, having not fully recovered from the abdominal strain that sidelined him in Perth.
Last time the sides met in a Boxing Day fixture, a lifeless MCG pitch ensured there was no prospect of anything other than a draw
India Cricket Captain Virat Kohli is optimistic enough work had been done on the pitch to ensure a result.
[Source: TVNZ]
