Rohit Sharma has confirmed that KL Rahul will open for India in the 2nd IND vs AUS Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 in Adelaide. Addressing the press on the eve of the Adelaide Test, Indian captain confirmed that Rahul will continue to form the team's opening pair alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal as India look to replicate their performance in Perth at the Adelaide Oval as well.
KL Rahul batted brilliantly in the series opener at Perth. While he could not convert a start into a big score in the first innings of the Test, he scored a well-made 76 in the second innings, forming a 201-run opening stand with Jaiswal and helping India get an excellent start. India eventually won the match by a massive 295-run margin.
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Rahul, Jaiswal To Open In Adelaide; Rohit To Bat In Middle
While India's regular skipper Rohit Sharma was not available for the Perth Test due to the birth of his second child, he joined the team on November 24. With the opening pair set and performing well, Rohit 7 co. have decided to stick with Rahul and Jaiswal at the top, where as Rohit will bat 'somewhere' in the middle.
“KL will open (in Adelaide). The way he batted and his partnership with Jaiswal was instrumental in that first test win. The way he has batted outside India, he deserves it. I will bat somewhere in the middle. It was a fairly simple decision. Personally, it wasn’t easy (as a batsman) but for the team, it was an easy decision to make,” Rohit said in the pre-match press conference on Thursday as per IANS.
Rohit Sharma's captaincy and batting faced scrutiny following India's historic 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand last month. Over his last six innings, Rohit managed just 93 runs, including a solitary half-century. His batting average plummeted to 15.16 — the lowest of his Test career in any series where he played at least three matches. However, buoyed by the team's confidence-boosting victory in Perth, Rohit Sharma will aim to regain his form and contribute crucial runs for India with the bat.