India's cricket team is gearing up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener in Perth, focusing on handling the pace and bounce of the lively pitch. KL Rahul is set to open, with Devdutt Padikkal likely at No. 3, and Dhruv Jurel emerging as a strong contender for No. 6 after impressive performances in practice and Melbourne.
Rohit Sharma's absence and Shubman Gill's injury have reshuffled the top order, with Padikkal's height and technique offering promise despite tough conditions. Meanwhile, Jurel's solid technique against rising balls has put him ahead of Sarfaraz Khan in the middle-order race.
On the bowling front, Nitish Kumar Reddy is being groomed as a versatile allrounder to complement Ashwin, likely chosen for his edge against left-handers. Harshit Rana, despite limited experience, has impressed with his aggressive approach, while Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna remain strong options to partner Jasprit Bumrah.
With a pace-friendly pitch and unpredictable conditions, India's young squad must balance potential with performance to set the tone for the series.