Indian Test captain Rohit Sharma has confirmed the role of KL Rahul ahead of the much-awaited 2nd IND vs AUS Test match in Adelaide. Rohit Sharma confirmed that he will be batting in the middle order while wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul will be opening the batting in the second test match against the Australian cricket team in Adelaide, which is scheduled to kickstart on Friday.
Rohit Sharma Confirms KL Rahul’s Opening Role for 2nd IND vs AUS Test
For the unversed, Rohit Sharma missed the first IND vs AUS Test match in Perth due to the birth of his second child with wife Ritika Sajdeh. In the absence of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul played a terrific knock of 77 runs in Perth. However, with the Indian captain joining the squad ahead of the 2nd Test match, several cricket pundits and experts thought that KL Rahul will no longer be opening the batting.
Meanwhile, ahead of the 2nd IND vs AUS Test match or the Pink-ball Test match, Indian captain Rohit Sharma has ended all speculations in the pre-match conference and made it clear that he will not play as an opener. Speaking to the reporters on the eve of the second Test match, Rohit Sharma said:
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“KL Rahul to open. I’ll bat somewhere in the middle. I was watching KL Rahul’s batting from home with my newborn in my arms. He played brilliantly so there is no need to change his position. KL deserves that spot at this point. 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.”
Pat Cummins Addresses Team Harmony and Rumors of Division
Australia captain Pat Cummins on Thursday dismissed rumors of problems within the team, saying everyone gets along well and the team has a great vibe. Rumors of a divide in the Australian team started on Day 3 of the Perth Test when experienced bowler Josh Hazlewood. Speaking about the same, Pat Cummins said:
“You probably have to ask one of the batters that question. I’m sort of relaxing and trying to get a bit of physio and a bit of treatment, and I’m probably looking mostly towards the next Test and what plans we can do against these batters.”
At the pre-match press conference, Pat Cummins said the team is in great shape and some commentators were completely wrong about the situation. He added that the team doesn’t pay much attention to such rumors.
“Yeah, look team’s great. Some of the commentators got that 100 per cent wrong. So, the team’s great, we have prepared like we always do, and get around each other. It’s a great feeling around the team. So yeah, we don’t make too much of it,” Cummins said.
After hearing Hazlewood’s comment, former Australia star Adam Gilchrist gave his take during Fox Sports coverage and said, “That to me tells me there is potentially a divided change room I don’t know if there is. I might be reading too much into that.”
In the first IND vs AUS Test match of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Indian cricket team registered a stunning comeback from a series whitewash against the New Zealand cricket team at home. India defeated Australia by 295 runs in Perth, despite being bowled out for a mere 150 runs in their first innings.
The day-night Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide is set to begin on December 6.
On Thursday, Australia announced their playing XI for the match, with pacer Scott Boland joining the team to replace the injured Josh Hazlewood at the Adelaide Oval.
ALSO READ: IND vs AUS: Australia Announces Playing XI For Adelaide Test Against India
