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Sunil Gavaskar Warns India Against This Bold 'Boxing Day' Change: "Can't Drop..."

As the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy reaches a critical juncture with the series tied 1-1, Team India faces significant selection dilemmas ahead of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The aftermath of the third Test at the Gabba, which ended in a hard-fought draw, has triggered a wave of planned and speculative changes, with legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar weighing in on the decisions the Indian team management must make.

Virat Kohli's "Flashing Outside The Off-Stump" Rebuked As India Battle Australia, Sachin Tendulkar Invoked

Australian batting great Matthew Hayden has urged Virat Kohli to draw inspiration from Sachin Tendulkar's disciplined knock in Sydney and curb his tendency to flash outside the off-stump to regain form in the remaining two Tests of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Kohli, who has had an inconsistent series so far with scores of 5, 100 not out, 7, 11, and 3 in his last five innings, has amassed just 126 runs at an average of 31.50.

Matthew Hayden Backs Kohli To Shine In Boxing Day Test, Gives 'Sachin Tendulkar' Advice

Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden has called for Virat Kohli to resist the urge to hit the ball outside the off stump and called upon the example of one of the finest innings played by Sachin Tendulkar during the 2003-04 Border Gavaskar Trophy. Barring Kohli's unbeaten century in the second innings of the first Test at Perth, the 36-year old has struggled with the bat and has constantly been caught with the ball outside the off-stump. Hayden believes the track at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the venue for the Boxing Day Test, will be suitable for batters and backs the Indian great to come back to form if he can resist the urge to slash at the ball outside the off-stump.

'Indian Bowling Is Looking Weak': Cheteshwar Pujara Raises Concern Ahead Of Boxing Day Test

Veteran cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara reflected on India's bowling weakness at the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series and said that they have to take 20 wickets, reported Star Sports. The series is currently tied at 1-1 after India secured a draw in the third Test in Brisbane. The Boxing Day Test will kick off on December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Jasprit Bumrah is the only India pacer who has shined in the ongoing BGT series. Bumrah is currently the highest wicket-taker in the series with 21 wickets at an average of 10.90. He has two fifers and one four-wicket haul in this series after the conclusion of the first three matches.

"Not Able To Do The Job": Cheteshwar Pujara's Unfiltered Dig At India Duo Ahead of Boxing Day Test

The Indian team in Australia lacks a bowling attack that is good enough to take 20 wickets in a Test, Cheteshwar Pujara said on Monday and called it the side's biggest concerns heading into the last two matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The five-match series is currently levelled at 1-1 with everything to play for in the Tests in Melbourne and Sydney. The visitors have been relying heavily on pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to get them wickets and while he has been a great success with both the red and pink ball, the peerless fast bowler has not received enough support from the other end, something that has plagued India besides their top-order batting woes.

Ignored India Star Lauds Mitchell Starc, Calls Him The "Best Bowler" For Australia

Veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara showered praise on seamer Mitchell Starc and said that the 34-year-old has been the "best bowler" for Australia in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series, reported Star Sports. The series is currently tied at 1-1 after India secured a draw in the third Test in Brisbane. The Boxing Day Test will kick off on December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Starc made his Test debut in 2011 against New Zealand. Following that, the 34-year-old has took part 92 Test matches and 176 innings, picking up 372 wickets at an economy rate of 3.42.

Ex-India Coach Backs Virat Kohli Ahead Of Boxing Day Test, Calls Him "Difference Maker"

Former India head coach Sanjay Bangar believes that the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is the perfect opportunity for Virat Kohli to rise to the occasion and reestablish himself as the fulcrum of India's batting lineup. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy locked at 1-1, this match is crucial for India's hopes of clinching the series and solidifying their chances of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Kohli's form has been a mixed bag in the ongoing series. While his century in Perth played a pivotal role in India's victory, his performances in the other matches have been underwhelming.

Watch: Virat Kohli Overrules Rohit Sharma In Plan To Dismiss Travis Head. It Works A Treat

Travis Head has proven to be a nightmare for Team India but Virat Kohli and pacer Mohammed Siraj devised the perfect plan to get him out in the second innings of the third Test in Brisbane. Head slammed a stunning 152 in the first innings, making it seem like no Indian bowler could challenge him. But India had a plan for Head in the second innings. Stump mic footage showed us the behind the scenes of India's planning, which involved Kohli urging Rohit to follow his plan.

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Sunil Gavaskar Warns India Against This Bold 'Boxing Day' Change: "Can't Drop..."

Virat Kohli's "Flashing Outside The Off-Stump" Rebuked As India Battle Australia, Sachin Tendulkar Invoked

Matthew Hayden Backs Kohli To Shine In Boxing Day Test, Gives 'Sachin Tendulkar' Advice

'Indian Bowling Is Looking Weak': Cheteshwar Pujara Raises Concern Ahead Of Boxing Day Test

"Not Able To Do The Job": Cheteshwar Pujara's Unfiltered Dig At India Duo Ahead of Boxing Day Test

Ignored India Star Lauds Mitchell Starc, Calls Him The "Best Bowler" For Australia

Ex-India Coach Backs Virat Kohli Ahead Of Boxing Day Test, Calls Him "Difference Maker"

Watch: Virat Kohli Overrules Rohit Sharma In Plan To Dismiss Travis Head. It Works A Treat