IND vs AUS: Australia announce playing XI for Boxing Day Test against India, make two big changes

Australia has officially announced their playing XI for the upcoming Boxing Day Test match against India, set to begin on Thursday. The hosts have made two significant changes to their lineup with Scott Boland stepping in for the injured Josh Hazlewood and teenage opener Sam Konstas replacing Nathan McSweeney. Konstas is poised to become Australia's youngest Test debutant since skipper Pat Cummins made his debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2011. Additionally, Travis Head has been declared fit to play.

Head, an aggressive number five batsman has been the standout performer in the ongoing series scoring centuries in both Adelaide and Brisbane. Despite picking up a minor thigh strain at the Gabba, concerns about his fitness have been alleviated with skipper Pat Cummins confirming that the left-hander is in good shape.

"Trav is good to go, so he will play. He just ticked off some final things today and yesterday," said Cummins. "No stress, no worries about injury for Trav, so he will go into the game fully fit. 

"I don't think you'll see too much management of him through the game. Maybe around fielding if he's a bit uncomfortable, but he's fully fit," he added.

Travis Head has been a standout performer for Australia in the first three Tests against India, scoring an impressive 409 runs at an average of 81.80. His dominance with the bat has been crucial for Australia especially as other batters have struggled against the threat posed by pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

The ongoing five-match series is currently tied at 1-1, with India claiming a convincing 295-run victory in Perth before suffering a crushing defeat by 10 wickets in Adelaide. The third Test in Brisbane was unfortunately affected by rain and ended in a draw.

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

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