With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy currently tied at 1-1, both India and Australia will be playing the much-anticipated Boxing Day Test in Melbourne with the goal to secure an all-important series lead needed to push a case for the WTC 2023-25 final.

The visitors are facing numerous selection headache ahead of the fourth and penultimate Test. R Ashwin's sudden retirement after the third Test has left a major void in the Indian squad. Tanush Kotian, a young off-spinning all-rounder, has been added to the touring contingent.

Nitish Kumar Reddy's position in the playing XI is a major topic of debate. Many experts have suggested that India should go with an extra spin option at MCG, with Washington Sundar replacing the seam-bowling all-rounder Reddy.

However, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has opposed the idea. “They can’t drop Nitish Kumar Reddy. He is the fourth seamer. I can’t see India going in with just two pacers and Nitish. For me, it is pretty much this XI that plays in Melbourne,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.

Reddy's bowling performance in the series has been underwhelming, although he has emerged as a dependable lower-order batter.

Team India are reportedly set to undergo a batting-order overhaul for the Boxing Day Test, with skipper Rohit Sharma likely to return as an opener after batting at No. 6 in the past two matches. KL Rahul could bat at No. 3, replacing Shubman Gill.

Gill, who has failed to live up to the expectations, might move down the order or be replaced by Dhurv Jurel.

India's pace attack is also a major talking point. Akash Deep, whose contributions with the bat helped India avoid the follow-on at the Gabba, is expected to retain his place.

“Unlikely that Harshit will replace Akash Deep. Why would you drop a man who has saved your team from follow-on?” Gavaskar remarked.