Australia announce playing XI for Boxing Day Test against India, Travis Head recovers from injury

The fourth Test of the current Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25 will pit Australia against team India. The fourth Test of the series will pit the two teams against one another on December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. A number of rumours circulated before to the fourth Test, including the inclusion of star batsman Travis Head in the starting lineup.

Nevertheless, following his brief injury scare, Travis Head has been cleared to play and is included in the starting lineup for the Boxing Day Test. Additionally, the board announced that Scott Boland would be rejoining the team and that young Sam Konstas would be making his debut.

Australia captain Pat Cummins takes the stage to announce the playing XI and discuss Travis Head’s fitness report for the fourth Test match against India.

“Trav is ready and will play. He just completed a few last tasks yesterday and today. But with Trav, there are no concerns of injuries. Cummins stated, “He’ll enter the game fully fit,”

“I don’t think he will be managed too much during the game. He simply performs as is. He is perfectly fit, but we will handle him if he feels a little uneasy during fielding. He’s been in this incredible form for what seems like the past 12 months, and he just keeps doing it,” Cummins remarked.

It is important to note that Sam Konstas, who made his debut for the team in the Perth Test, will be taking Nathan McSweeney’s place in the starting lineup following a run of poor performances. Australia will aim to start the fourth Test of the series strongly after India won the first, Australia won the second, and the third ended in a draw.

Australia XI: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.