If KL Rahul can extend that cool IPL halo to a real Test aura in England with his batting, it would be a journey celebrated. (AP Photo)With regular skipper Rohit Sharma returning to the fold, he is likely to open the innings against Australia in the 2nd Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide. Veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara, however, feels that due to KL Rahul’s decent form in the 1st Test, the Karnataka batter should continue to open.
“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,” he added.
With Shubman Gill set to return to the playing XI following his recovery from the thumb injury that ruled him out of the 1st Test, Pujara explains why the batter would be better suited for the No. 5 role.
“Ideally No. 5 (for Gill). 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. 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,” he said.
“(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,” Pujara added.
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