File photo of Chris Rogers
© AFP
Melbourne: Australia captain Steve Smith won the toss and chose to bat on the opening day of the third Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday. (Live Scorecard | Live Blog)
India made two changes from the team that lost the second Brisbane Test, with debutant Lokesh Rahul and Mohammed Shami coming into the side.
Rahul, who replaces Rohit Sharma, will bat at No.6, while speedster Varun Aaron makes way for Shami.
Paceman Ryan Harris returns to Australia's pace attack at the expense of Mitchell Starc, while debutant Joe Burns will bat at No.6 for the injured Mitchell Marsh.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's tourists trail 2-0 in the four-match series after defeats in Adelaide and Brisbane, and have lost their last five encounters at the MCG stretching back 23 years.
While India have played well in the series, they unravelled both times in their second innings.
The Indians lost their last seven wickets for 73 to go down by 48 runs in Adelaide and nine for 148 to leave the Australians chasing 128 runs for a four-wicket victory in Brisbane.
The match began under sunny skies with the forecast for a clear Boxing Day.
Teams:
Australia - David Warner, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Steve Smith (capt), Shaun Marsh, Joe Burns, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
India - Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Lokesh Rahul, MS Dhoni (capt), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav.
Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (SRI) Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
TV umpire: John Ward (AUS)
Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI)
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