Indian veteran cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara has made a compelling case for Indian wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul to bat no lower than number three in the Indian lineup in the upcoming second Test match against Australia in Adelaide. Heading into the second Test, India have been bolstered by the return of skipper Rohit Sharma, who missed the first Test due to the birth of his second child.
In the absence of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul opened the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. Now, with the return of Rohit Sharma, the opening combination might be disturbed, but Pujara feels that it shouldn’t be disturbed. This suggestion comes in the wake of the opening Test match of the ongoing five-match Border-Gavaskar series between Australia and India, where Rahul opened the batting alongside Jaiswal and stitched the highest partnership for the first wicket in Australia.
"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. 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 said on ESPNcricinfo
Shubman Gill, who missed the first game due to an injury, has recovered and his return would also pose challenge to the management but Pujara thinks he can be slotted at No 5.
“Ideally No. 5. Because it allows him to come in at a time, even if we lose two wickets early, he is someone who can negotiate the new ball,” Pujara stated.
“But if he walks in after, say, 25 or 30 overs, he can play his shots. He can play his natural game. And in case we lose the first three wickets early, Gill walks in and saves Rishabh Pant for the old ball. [Pant] doesn’t have to face the new ball. I wouldn’t want him to walk in to bat when the ball is hard and new,” he said.