This upcoming second IND vs AUS Test in Adelaide holds a lot of importance for Rohit Sharma‘s Team India. They will not only go 2-0 up in the series, but also wash away the “horrific memories” of the 2020-21 Test here, where the team was bundled out for 36. And for that, they will have to come up with perfect XI.
KL Rahul as Opener for IND vs AUS 2nd Test
With Rohit back in the mix, after missing the first match, India’s top-order will be strengthened. But the bigger questions are — where will Rohit bat, where will KL Rahul bat, and where will Virat Kohli/Shubman Gill bat? Yes, there are reports that suggest, Rohit might just go to the middle-order to let Rahul open — after the latter scored 26 and 77 at Perth, but that can’t be confirmed.
In fact, there are contrasting reports suggesting that KL Rahul might drop down to number 5. But if the recent IND vs AUS PM XI is anything to go by, then it is the Bangalore boy who should open with Yashasvi Jaiswal. In the last five Tests, Rohit averages only 13.30, and in Adelaide, where the pitch conditions will assist the pacers, chance should not be taken.
Rohit Sharma at No. 5, No Ashwin/Jadeja
In any case, the batting order of Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli is likely to remain the same. And that also means, the likes of Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel will face the axe. Coming to the spinners, it is a no-brainer..the Adelaide pitch won’t be suited to spin bowling, and only Washington Sundar should be considered, and not R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
On current batting and bowling form too, Washy fits the bill. Also, Ashwin did not even play the IND vs AUS PM XI match, so him being in XI is ruled out. Jadeja did feature in the match, but then he doesn’t fit the current requirement of the team. As for the pace battery of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana, any change is highly unlikely, unless for an injury. The three were mighty impressive and played a big part in scripting India’s victory at Perth.
Predicted IND XI for Adelaide Test
KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah.
