India could make up to 5 changes for 2nd test vs Australia

 India could make up to five changes for second cricket test against Australia beginning Saturday at Melbourne Cricket Ground while home side is expected to go unchanged.

India captain Virat Kohli has returned to India to be with his wife for birth of ir first child and fast bowler Mohammed Shami has a broken arm.

Opener K.L. Rahul and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant could be in line for recalls, with Prithvi Shaw and Wriddhiman Saha in danger of being dropped.

India hes to MCG after posting its lowest total in test history — 36 in second innings — in an eight-wicket loss in day-night match at elaide Oval which ended inside three days.

Áustralia captain Tim Paine said Friday he doesn’t expect his side to let up in attempting to take a 2-0 le in four-test series.

“ moment we take our foot off pedal, and think we’re going all right performances can slip,” Paine said. “But we’ve been fantastic in how we’ve prepared for this game. We can’t pay any attention to mental scars or whatever people are talking about.

“India is a proud cricket country, y’re an extremely talented side. We kw some of players y’re talking about coming in . . . if we give m an inch, y’ll take a mile.”

match would rmally draw a crowd of up to 80,000, but just 30,000 people will be allowed into MCG. Despite strange build-up due to COVID-19 restrictions, Paine is happy just to be playing Boxing Day test at MCG.

“Seeing MCG sometimes with 30,000 in it you’re a bit disappointed when you turn up,” he said. “To have 30,000 fans re is certainly better than t playing Boxing Day test at MCG, so everyone’s excited.”

Joe Burns will again partner Matw We at top of order after Burns’ unbeaten 51 in first test.

On Thursday, Cricket Australia officials met to determine wher MCG might hold two tests in a row if a new COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney prevents Sydney Cricket Ground match from beginning played beginning Jan. 7.

CA board decided wait furr to give SCG its “best chance” to host third test. board also want to stick with Brisbane hosting fourth test beginning Jan. 15, just four days after SCG match is scheduled to end.

But should COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney result in SCG test being untenable, CA’s preferred contingency is playing third test at MCG.

“ drop in new community transmissions in NSW have provided cause for optimism,” CA’s interim chief executive Nick Hockley said in a statement. “However if situation in Sydney deteriorates, we have strong contingency plans in place.”

CA said it was working with Queensland government to secure travel exemptions for players, officials and brocasters to move from Sydney to Brisbane following SCG match, Hockley said.

Regardless of where third match is play, Australia coach Justin Langer said he was optimistic opener David Warner will be fit.

34-year-old Warner has been recovering from a groin injury sustained in one-day international series against India.

“He batted very well (on Wednesday) in nets, he’s moving well,” Langer said of 24-test veteran. “He’s enthusiastic as ever. He’s got so much energy and passion for game and he’ll be doing everything possible to get out onto ground.

“He’s having a bit of trouble running at full speed. We’ll just monitor him and fingers crossed he’ll be back.”

(Im Courtesy: AP)