Australia have dropped Nathan McSweeney for their final two Tests against India, with 19-year-old Sam Konstas called up in his place.

McSweeney, who was named as one of Australia's openers before the start of the Border-Gavaskar trophy, struggled to find his rhythm in the first three Tests as he managed just 72 runs across six innings.

Konstas has made just 11 first-class matches for New South Wales after making his debut in 2023, but was part of the Australia team that won the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year.

He is now in line to become Australia men's youngest Test batting debutant since Ian Craig in 1953, and their youngest Test debutant since current captain Pat Cummins in 2011.

"You can say the way our top three have been playing has been reasonably similar, and we'd like the ability to throw something different at India on the back of that," George Bailey, Australia's chief selector, said.

Counting down to Boxing Day at the @MCG #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/BcOfL3pZz3

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"If you look more broadly, I don't think necessarily the top six has quite functioned to the level that we need in this series as a whole.

"I think Sam's method and style is different to Nathan's … should we go down that path. We think they provide a different look and a different make-up of the eleven come Boxing Day."

Seamer Jhye Richardson, who has not played a Test since the 2021-22 Ashes, has also been recalled to the squad in place of the injured Josh Hazlewood.

The fourth Test begins on December 26, with the series tied at 1-1.

Australia squad for final two Tests v India:

Pat Cummins (captain), Travis Head, Steve Smith, Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.