Rahul and Yashasvi to open, Rohit at No. 3, Gill at No. 5

Even though Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal got bulk of the credit for India’s triumph against Australia for the Perth Test win, for slamming centuries in the second innings, the contribution of KL Rahul should not be forgotten. The 32-year-old scored a valuable 26 in the first innings where India was bundled out for 150, and then responded with a 77 in the second, while opening the innings.

Rohit Sharma at No. 3, KL Rahul Should Open

That said, Rohit Sharma, who missed the first Test due to the birth of his second child, will be back at the top of the order. Now, that brings up to the questions, that if Rohit will open with Yashasvi, will Rahul drop to No.5? India veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara offered his opinion on the same.

“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,” Pujara said in a chat with ESPNcricinfo. “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.”

Shubman Gill at No.5 for IND vs AUS

That could be the best option, given Devdutt Padikkal failed big time at No. 3 and then there is no surety if Shubman Gill will be fit for the second Test. Even if he is fit, Pujara added that Gill’s position will be No. 5 and not No. 3.

“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 said. “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.”