CONFIRMED: Mayank Agarwal braced for debut as India drop KL Rahul, Murali Vijay for third Test against Australia

In response to ir humbling defeat in second Test in Perth, where y were beaten by 143 runs, India has made three changes to ir side for third Test in Melbourne, which is headlined by exclusion of both ir openers.

KL Rahul and Murali Vijay, who opened in first two Tests, mand to score a mer 97 runs between m in eight innings. And selectors have decided to inject freshness up at top by removing both of m, and confirming a Test debut for Mayank Agarwal ​​​​.

Rahul has been directly swapped with Agarwal, while Vijay's place in side has been taken by Rohit Sharma, who returns from injury. 'Hitman' will slot in at .6, meaning Hanuma Vihari will open batting.

Ar big decision which Indian skipper Virat Kohli has taken is to forego four-man pace attack. In Perth, Indian team lacked a spinner who could compliment and allow pacers a brear. Hence, keeping that and pitch in mind, Ravindra Jadeja has been brought into playing XI at expense of Umesh Yadav, least threatening of four pacers in Perth.

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India playing XI for third Test: Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah