BURNING BOXING DAY QUESTIONS

WHAT WILL THE PITCH DO?

The MCG remains buoyed from last year’s “very good” pitch rating from the ICC, after the 2017-18 batting bore-a-thons had the famous ground on notice. But the reality is it took some wild experimenting to strike the right balance last year, a luxury not really afforded this year due to COVID-19. Another slow pitch is expected, although curator Matthew Page is confident there will be enough in it for the bowlers to save him from being their Christmas Grinch.

WHO IS BATTING FOR THEIR CAREER?

David Warner is targeting a return in the third Test match, which means selectors will wake up in the New Year with a headache that won’t simply subside with a Berocca. Who makes way for Warner? Simon O’Donnell reckons Matthew Wade has “signed his own death warrant” by moving up to open, while Brad Haddin says the pressure should be on Travis Head, with Wade deserving to be saved due to his selflessness. The third option is to drop boom youngster Cameron Green and stick with last year’s incumbents. Then again, what if Joe Burns misses out twice on a flat MCG pitch?

WILL IT BE HOSTILE?

Virat Kohli is a ball of energy and, at times, hostility, with his in-your-face style the hallmark of his team. Well, Ajinkya Rahane is the polar opposite. Tactically sharp and outwardly quiet, Rahane brings a different complexion to the tourists. Does that invite the Aussies to raise the banter stakes? It will be interesting to monitor any byplay between Tim Paine and Rishabh Pant, if he earns a recall. Two years ago Pant dubbed Paine the “temporary captain”, but Paine has since retained the Ashes in England and was man-of-the-match in Adelaide, whereas Pant is no longer even India’s first-choice keeper.

MENTAL SCARS

Joe Burns says Australia’s first Test bowling performance opened some scars as India became the “Adelaide 36ers” — all out for 36. Andrew Symonds reckons if the first session on Boxing Day goes awry for India then the wheels will quickly fall off.

— SAM LANDSBERGER