The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday (December 25) confirmed Team India’s playing XI for the Boxing Day Test, starting December 26 in Melbourne.

As expected, Prithvi Shaw has been dropped from the playing XI after his poor showing in the first Test at Adelaide, with Shubman Gill set to make his red-ball debut at the iconic MCG.

Gill will open the innings alongside Mayank Agarwal followed by Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, who will lead the side in the remainder of the series in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli.

Contrary to the media reports, Hanuma Vihari has retained his place in the line-up while Rishabh Pant replaces Wriddhiman Saha as a wicketkeeper batsman.

Spin all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who missed the opening Test due to hamstring injury, is back in the playing XI and he is expected to play a vital role in the second Test alongside off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

Coming to the fast bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah will spearhead the attack along with Umesh Yadav while Mohammed Siraj comes in place of the injured Mohammad Shami, who sustained fracture on his forearm during the first Test.

Having suffered a humiliating 8-wicket defeat in the Adelaide Test, the visitors are trailing 1-0 in the four-Test series.

Team India’s playing XI for the second Test:

Ajinkya Rahane (c), Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj