Now, just a day prior to the IND vs AUS 2nd Test in Adelaide, India skipper Rohit Sharma has confirmed that KL Rahul would open the innings along with Yashasvi Jaiswal, while he will bat in the middle order. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Rohit said, “The way KL batted, I was watching from home with new born baby on arms, he played brilliantly so there is no need to change now, things might be different in future – the way KL bats in overseas, so he deserves that spot at this point of time.”
Rohit Sharma Moves Down, KL Rahul to Open
In the first Test, in the absence of Rohit, KL Rahul opened the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal and scored 26 & 77 in the match, giving a signal to the selectors, that he deserves to open in the entire series. While there was a lot of conjecture, if Rohit would demote the latter, but that wasn’t the case after all.
“The partnership with KL & Jaiswal probably won us the Test match – I don’t see we needed to change that – it was pretty easy for me, for the team it made sense,” he added. The 37-year-old is himself going through a lean patch, and averages only 13.30 in the last four Tests he has played. So it only makes sense, he comes into bat, when the ball is a little older and softer.
IND vs AUS 2nd Test, Adelaide
That said, now the question is, whether he will bat above Rishabh Pant or not. Also, there is no real clarity if the team will make any changes to the bowling department; although there is no need for the same, with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana, along with Washington Sundar firing well for India.
What India needs to be wary about, in the D/N Test is, Adelaide weather is going to remain uncertain on the first day, and thunderstorm is also predicted. That would mean, the pacers will once again be in action throughout the match, and batting will be a struggle.
