Problems mount for India ahead of make-or-break Boxing Day Test against Australia

Pacer Mohammad Shami unavailable for remaining Tests as India consider additional spinner, while Australia hand teenager debut

India coach Gautam Gambhir oversees a training session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Getty Images

India will be feeling the pressure even though they were the ones celebrating at the end of the drawn third Test against Australia, with the series level at 1-1 with two matches to go.

Rohit Sharma's team survived the rain-affected Brisbane Test to keep their hopes alive in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, and were at one point seen cheering after avoiding the follow-on. However, since then there has been a stream of unsettling news from the Indian camp as they prepare for the fourth Test, which begins in Melbourne on Thursday.

The first came right at the end of the third Test when veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from all formats with immediate effect, marking the beginning of the end of some illustrious careers in the Indian dressing room.

Captain Rohit and star batsman Virat Kohli, both struggling with the bat, also seem to be edging closer to the exit with the remaining two matches likely to decide whether they get to play any further in Indian colours.

Rohit is so woefully out of form that he took a nasty hit to the leg while batting in the nets, not looking comfortable even against part-time bowlers.

And if the team management was hoping for some major reinforcements to lift the mood of the squad, it did not materialise as experienced seamer Mohammad Shami was ruled out of the series.

The team did bring in an additional spinner in the form of all-rounder Tanush Kotian. He will be in the selection mix alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, with Rohit still undecided on playing two spinners for the Boxing Day Test.

While the Melbourne Cricket Ground curator said he expected the pitch to offer plenty of help to the fast bowlers, temperatures are set to reach 40º Celsius, which is likely to bring spinners into play in the second innings.

"Whatever we have to do to make the best possible XI in these conditions, we will do that - whether that is playing an extra spinner or not," Rohit said.

India's bowling has been spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, with pacer Akash Deep offering reliable support without much luck with wickets. Mohammad Siraj has been among the wickets but has not offered enough control.

Opening batsman KL Rahul has been a bright spot at the top of the order and will be hoping for some help from at least one other senior batsman. What could work in India's favour is the nature of the Melbourne track which is expected to ease out under the city's intense heat.

Young debutant for Australia

The Aussies, meanwhile, are set to hand a Test debut to teenage batsman Sam Konstas.

Konstas, 19, will open the batting for Australia in the fourth Test with coach Andrew McDonald also expecting leading batsman Travis Head to recover from a minor injury.

Konstas was called up after selectors dropped Nathan McSweeney after just three Tests. Konstas has now been tasked with keeping Indian pace spearhead Bumrah at bay, alongside an under-performing Usman Khawaja.

"He'll play Boxing Day," McDonald said.

"We have said from the get-go, leading into this summer, that we wouldn't shy away and age was no barrier.

"What he's shown is an array of shots and an ability to put pressure back on his opponents and he gets his opportunity. Really excited for him - Boxing Day, the biggest stage."

Konstas will become Australia's youngest Test debutant since current captain Pat Cummins took the field against South Africa at Johannesburg in 2011.

Leading scorer Head is hoping to be fit for the fourth Test after sustaining a calf strain.

The hosts will be without injured fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, which means Scot Boland will slot right back into the playing XI.