New Delhi, 29 November (UITV)- Captain Rohit Sharma will return from the day-night Test match in Adelaide. After a spectacular victory in the Perth Test, the Indian cricket team is now ready to perform well in this match. Rohit Sharma’s return from this match may see some changes in the Indian batting order. There is confusion about the batting order amid the hope of Shubman Gill being fit. In this context, veteran batsman Cheteshwar Pujara shared his opinion in a conversation with ESPNcricinfo.
Pujara has suggested that there is no need to tinker with the opening batting order. He said, “If we go ahead with the opening pair of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, it will be better for the team.” Rahul and Jaiswal played their roles well in Perth and Pujara believes that it would be in the interest of the team to keep them in this order.
However, if Rohit Sharma decides to open, Pujara said that Rahul should play at number three. “Rahul likes to play in the top order and he has experience there. It would not be right to lower his batting order.”
Amid the possibility of Shubman Gill being fit, questions are also being raised about his batting order. Pujara believes that Gill should be played at number five. “Gill can face the new ball, but if his batting comes after 25-30 overs, he can play with his shots.”
Devdutt Padikkal, who scored zero and 25 in the first Test match, may be dropped from the playing XI. In this situation, Rohit and Jaiswal will open, Rahul will play at number three and Virat Kohli at number four. Gill has been suggested to play at number five so that he can strengthen the team in the middle order.
Pujara suggested that Rishabh Pant should bat one place lower than in Perth. If the team loses wickets early, Gill can be sent to face the new ball and Pant can be saved with the new ball. He also said that Dhruv Jurel can be dropped from the playing XI.
Regarding the bowling line-up, Pujara believes that there is no need to tinker with it. Our fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana have performed brilliantly. Harshit bowled very impressively in his first match and proved his ability. He should be retained.
Pujara supported the retention of Washington Sundar as the only spinner in the spin department, saying, “Sundar bowled the right line and length on the bouncy pitches of Australia. Apart from this, he can also contribute in batting, which puts him ahead of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.”
Pujara admitted that Sundar has been given priority for his batting more than bowling. “Sundar has the ability to stick against the new ball. If lower order batting is needed, he can play an important role. He took wickets by showing variety in speed, which proved beneficial for the team. ”
Pujara also made it clear that it would not be right to change the bowling combination. He said, “The combination of four fast bowlers and one spinner will be the best on this pitch. Washington Sundar brings balance in both bowling and batting, which is beneficial for the team.”
Before the Adelaide Test, the Indian team will play a two-day pink ball practice match against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra. This match will give the players a chance to adapt themselves to the pink ball conditions and catch the rhythm.
The Indian team faces many selection related challenges for the day-night Test match to be held in Adelaide. There is a possibility of change in the batting order with the return of Rohit Sharma, while the bowling attack is being advised to be maintained without any change. The role of Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar and Rishabh Pant will be important for the team’s strategy.
It will be interesting to see how much the captain and team management implement these suggestions and which players make it to the final playing eleven. The Adelaide Test will prove to be an important match for the Indian team, where the team will try to maintain its excellent form.
