IND vs AUS: Indian batter KL Rahul opened the innings for Team India in the absence of captain Rohit Sharma during the first Test match between India and Australia in Perth. The veteran batter impressed everyone with his technique and intent, playing a match-saving knock for the side.
After missing out on the opening test at Perth, skipper Rohit Sharma has made himself available for the side. Rahul displayed composure during India’s first-inning collapse for 150 and followed it up with an amazing 77 in the second. His 201-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the second inning put the game out of Australia’s reach.
Shubman Gill was also ruled out of the first Test clash due to a thumb injury and is set to return to the side for the day-night match in Adelaide. The comeback of both the Indian skipper and Shubman Gill’s return from injury has indicated many speculations over the Indian batting order.
Pujara, the veteran Indian test batter who once played superb hands in the Indian middle order, widely known for his consistency, is now in the commentary section as he expresses his opinion over KL Rahul’s position in the squad due to the return of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.
“I think, for some reason, if we can carry on with the same batting order like KL and Yashasvi to open, Rohit could come in at three, and Shubman could come in at five.”
He stated
“If Rohit wants to open, KL should bat at No. 3. Nothing later than that. I think he has to bat top of the order because it suits his game really well. I hope we don’t tinker around with that.” Pujara added
According to him, Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel should be dropped from the lineup to make way for experienced opener Rohit Sharma and the talented Shubman Gill, who bring greater stability and firepower to the lineup.
The batter also backed Washington Sundar over Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin due to his batting ability in the lower-middle order for the side. He believes Sundar can contribute some crucial runs from lower down the order.
