NEW DELHI: Young Devdutt Padikkal will be replaced by returning captain Rohit Sharma in the Indian playing XI for the second Test in Adelaide, but everyone will be intrigued by KL Rahul‘s batting position in the pink ball warm-up match in Canberra.
Rahul might be positioned at number three instead of Padikkal, depending on whether the injured Shubman Gill recovers in time for the game.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy
However, there is a school of thought that suggests Rohit batting in the middle order, ideally at number five or six, could benefit the squad.
Due to Rohit’s unavailability for the first Test match in Perth, Rahul was viewed more as a temporary opener.
However, with runs of 26 and 77 in both innings at Optus Stadium, he has been the most compact of all Indian batsmen.
Rahul has settled well at the top of the order after playing an India A match at the MCG and now a Test match.
For the past five years, the Indian captain has been opening in Test matches while also looking for runs.
Despite playing on challenging grounds, Rohit’s performances with the bat have been a little lackluster across the five home Test matches. With plenty of use of the horizontal bat shots, he may regain his form on Australian pitches, which have real carry and bounce.
Gill missed the first Test match and has not yet begun batting in the nets after suffering a hairline fracture during the intra-squad match at the WACA.
With only a few training sessions available with pink ball in Adelaide, the team management may decide not to risk Gill unless he receives enough net practice. Dhruv Jurel will be dropped automatically if Gill is fit.
At the Adelaide Oval, spin bowling might be the only tactical change made to the starting lineup.
Where will KL Rahul bat when Rohit Sharma returns to Playing XI for Adelaide Test
In Perth, Washington Sundar was selected ahead of the two veteran spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Before the 36-all-out occurred in the December 2020 Pink Ball Test in Adelaide, Ashwin handed India the lead in the first innings with statistics of 4 for 45, including a brilliant dismissal of Steven Smith.
However, based on their recent performance in the nets, Ashwin, Jadeja, and Washington don’t now provide much of a choice. Additionally, batting becomes crucial in Pink Ball Tests because the spinners aren’t used as often.
India’s success in overseas Test matches has been mostly attributed to Jadeja’s batting, although Washington, a left-hander, has also performed admirably in Test matches. In Perth, he helped India surpass the 500-run mark with an 89-run partnership with Virat Kohli.
Expect some changes to the playing XI, if not the batting order, at the Adelaide Oval.
