Debutant Joe Burns will bat at No.6 for Australia in the Boxing Day Test.

Stand-in skipper Steve Smith confirmed his XI on Christmas Day, with Burns and Ryan Harris coming into the side at the expense of paceman Mitchell Starc and injured allrounder Mitch Marsh.

BREAKING: Joe Burns will bat at six coming in for Mitchell Marsh, Ryan Harris comes in for Mitchell Starc #AUSvIND — cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 24, 2014

Burns has been opening for Queensland this Bupa Sheffield Shield season and there had been calls for him to be blooded at first drop in a reshuffled batting order.

Quick Single: Burns as versatile as they come

However, Smith opted for continuity in the third Test against India with Burns taking Marsh's place in the order.

"Shane Watson's best suited at the top of the order ... Joe will slot in at No.6," Smith said.

"Mitch has been playing some pretty good cricket ... he was starting to find his feet.

"Disappointing for him ... but Joe Burns gets his opportunity on Boxing Day and it's going to be a very special week for him."

Australia will reclaim the Border-Gavaskar trophy if they defeat India at the MCG, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Commonwealth Bank Test Series.

Australia XI: David Warner, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Joe Burns, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.