3 Players who could open for India in the Boxing Day Test against Australia

After a victory in the first match at Adelaide, the Indian team was riding high on confidence with an eye over scripting history by claiming their maiden series win down under. Even before the start of the series, when cricket experts and pundits believed this as India's best ever chance to secure a series win in Australia, the Virat-led side did enough justice to this view by beginning the series on a positive note.

However, if there was ever a way for the home team to bounce back in the series, it was by playing it to their strengths as they did exactly at Perth to storm their way back into the series to make it a wide-open contest with still two matches to go in Melbourne and Sydney.

Australia will take a lot of confidence after their 146 run-victory over the hosts to level the series 1-1 at Perth. The home team will be keen to continue their winning spree after having closely studied India's weak link in their batting line up.

Barring few Indian batters, none of them have looked convincing so far in the series. The openers in Murali Vijay and KL Rahul have failed miserably and have been the talking point for India's consistent failures to see off the new ball in overseas conditions.

With both of them failing to stake a claim for their spot in the playing XI, it is highly likely that the duo will make way for a new opening duo for the Boxing Day Test match. The injury to Prithwi Shaw also forced the selectors to rope in young Mayank Agarwal ahead of the third Test as a specialized opener.

Let's take a look at 3 players who are in contention to open for India in Melbourne:

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#1 Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal would be dying to count upon this opportunity

The Karnataka-lad has been given the due opportunity as he is included in the Test side for the remaining two Test matches. Agarwal, who was part of India's home Test squad against Windies, failed to make it to the playing XI, was not included in the initial squad for four-match Test series against the Aussies.

However, injury to Pritwi Shaw and the poor run of form of openers has forced the selectors and the team management to rope in Mayank for the remaining two Test matches.

Mayank has waited long for this opportunity and deserves a go in the Melbourne Test. It won't be surprising if he replaces his state-mate from Karnataka to make his debut in the third Test. He has loads of runs behind him at the domestic level and impressive performances for India A in alien conditions.

#2 Parthiv Patel

Parthiv Patel is an experienced campaigner

India's most senior member in the current Test squad in Australia, Parthiv Patel could be considered as an option to open alongside Mayank Agarwal in the Boxing Day Test on December 26. He is indeed the most experienced player, having toured to Australia way back in 2004 as a 19-year old wicket-keeper for India.

A right-left combination at the top would also force the bowlers to change their line and length. Being a good back-foot player, Parthiv's batting could prove to be handy for India to see off the new ball and muster quick runs at the top.

Parthiv would play as a Wicket-keeper batsman, which would also allow India to experiment at the No.7 slot in the pecking order in place of Rishabh Pant. The visitors might then afford the luxury of playing Hardik Pandya as an all-rounder to account for fifth bowler and a handy lower order batsman.

#3 Rohit Sharma

Rohit can change gears at any moment in Test cricket

India's limited overs specialist opener Rohit Sharma could be an enticing option for India to open in the Boxing Day Test against Australia. However, there are still concerns over his lower back injury sustained in the first Test at Adelaide. If Rohit is fit and raring to go, it will be the last roll of dice to save his gloomy Test career.

He looked comfortable against the semi-old ball in Adelaide before a brain-fade forced him to throw away his wicket to Nathan Lyon. He made a decent 37 to stitch a crucial partnership alongside Cheteshwar Pujara and played the aggressor's role in his stay at the crease.

He is an attacking player and his game is a perfect match for the Australian conditions. Once set, Rohit has the innate ability to score runs at a brisk pace. He can torment the bowlers for quick runs with the proficiency of turning the game in one single session.