The India captain says he won't single out any specific batsman for he expects the entire batting unit to take more responsibility at the MCG, while adding that tackling Nathan Lyon will be key to their chances (4:58)

Big Picture

The MCG Boxing Day Test is always an eagerly anticipated occasion, but this year it feels like there is an added edge. The series is poised at 1-1; the stump mics have been turned up; Australia are finding their voice again; Virat Kohli isn't taking a backward step and there is grass on a Melbourne pitch. It has the makings of a Christmas cracker.

If India can bounce back from their Perth defeat and register victory they will have retained the Border-Gavaskar trophy. If Australia take the honours again it will mark a significant upturn in their fortunes at the end of a year of turmoil and no little disgrace. And if it's a draw let's hope it's a thriller and not like last year.

The pitches in this series have provoked much discussion and Melbourne's 22 yards has been at the forefront of everyone's attention for days. Last year the surface was marked "poor" by the ICC after the drab Ashes stalemate and this Test, under the management of a new curator, feels like a significant moment as an iconic ground tries to repair its reputation.

These two teams have shown that when there is some help on offer for the bowlers they can produce compelling cricket which makes for a wonderful spectacle. The contest between bat and ball has been excellent in Tests throughout 2018 and it would be nice to think it will end that way.

The unknown qualities of the pitch - despite the evidence of this season's Sheffield Shield matches - left both sides with thinking to do over their XIs. India won't admit it, but fielding four quicks in Perth was a mistake - another one in a year of selection blunders - but it doesn't have to prove terminal for their hopes in this series. They started 2018 hoping to create an overseas legacy for themselves and this match will go a long way to deciding if that happens.

Form guide

(last five completed matches)

Australia WLLDL

India LWWWL