“KL and Yashasvi to open,” Cheteshwar Pujara reveals the new batting position of Rohit Sharma in the Adelaide Test

In the absence of captain Rohit Sharma, Rahul opened the innings with Jaiswal and batted sensationally in both innings.

Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara (Via X)

The Indian Cricket Team got off to a sensational start in the first of the five-match Test series against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The team won by 295 runs on the back of some fine batting and bowling performances. One of them was the opening partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul.

In the absence of captain Rohit Sharma, Rahul opened the innings with Jaiswal and batted sensationally well in both innings. He scored 77 in the second innings while Jaiswal scored 161 runs. With Sharma back in the team for the second Test and with Gill’s probable inclusion at number three, there are talks of Rahul getting slotted back into the number six position. However, Cheteshwar Pujara feels that Rahul should continue batting at the top order.

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 at the top of the order, because it suits his game really well. I hope we don’t tinker around with that.
Cheteshwar Pujara told ESPNCricinfo.

Sharma missed the first Test due to the birth of his baby boy, and Gill was out due to a fractured thumb. However, both of them are likely to be back in the second Test, and hence there needs to be some changes made in the playing XI.

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Cheteshwar Pujara wants Shubman Gill to bat at number five

Gill has batted at number three since the time India moved on from Pujara. However, the former number three Test batter feels that Gill should bat at number five in the upcoming Test as he feels that the young star can negate the new ball even if India go on to lose some quick wickets.

However, if Gill comes in to bat after 25-30 overs, then he can play his shots and his natural game. Pujara wants the team management to save Rishabh Pant from the new ball, who has earlier batted at number five.

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. 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.
Cheteshwar Pujara told ESPNCricinfo.

The second Test match will be a Day/Night Test match starting from December 6 at the Adelaide Oval. India will play a two-day practice game against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra on November 30 and December 1. They will look to change the results in the Pink Ball Test this time around after they registered their lowest-ever total of 36 in the Pink ball Test of BGT 2020/21.