India’s Puzzle Ahead of Adelaide Test

The debate over India's opening pair has heated up as former cricketer Ravi Shastri voiced his support for KL Rahul to retain the role for the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Shastri cited the limited preparation time Rohit Sharma has had in Australia as a key factor. Meanwhile, head coach Gautam Gambhir faces a tough decision with the day-night Test in Adelaide looming on Friday.

"I think Rahul should carry on opening because Rohit has not had much time since he's come Australia," Shastri said in the ICC Review.

"Very quickly he had to play that Prime Minister's XI game. But I would say carry on with the same setup. Rohit can bat at five or six," he added.

India's lineup will also gain strength with the return of Shubman Gill, who has recovered from a hand injury that sidelined him for the Perth Test. Gill demonstrated his readiness with a quick half-century during the Prime Minister's XI match, reinforcing India's batting depth.

Shastri highlighted India's batting strength, remarking that this could be one of the most experienced Indian lineups to tour Australia in the past 10–15 years. He praised Gill's return to form and suggested that the combination of experienced players like Rohit and emerging talents such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill creates a formidable side.

Australia Squad for the Second Test: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster

India Squad for the Second Test: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar

As the countdown to the Adelaide Test continues, all eyes will be on India's final playing XI. Whether they choose to back Rahul's consistency or rely on Rohit's experience at the top of the order, the decision will undoubtedly shape the dynamics of the match.