ADELAIDE: Rohit Sharma will bat down the order in the pink-ball second Test against Australia in Adelaide, with India’s returning skipper Thursday saying K.L. Rahul had earned his place as an opener.

Sharma, who usually opens, missed their 295-run first Test victory in Perth last week for the birth of his second child.

In his place, Rahul scored a patient 26 in the first innings then a solid 77 in a crucial 201-run opening stand with century-maker Yashasvi Jaiswal.

“K.L. will open. The way he batted and his partnership with Jaiswal was instrumental in that first Test win,” said Sharma ahead of the game starting on Friday. “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, but for the team, it was an easy decision to make.”

Sharma would not reveal India’s starting XI, nor where exactly he will bat.

But with regular number three Shubman Gill set to return from a thumb injury, he will probably come in at five, after Virat Kohli and before Rishabh Pant. Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel appear likely to make way.

Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja were both overlooked for Perth and it remains unclear whether they will play.

But Sharma said they remained integral to the five-Test series.

“Unfortunately I wasn’t there to break the news to them that they won’t be playing that first game,” he said. “It’s always hard to leave experienced players like them out.

“But I think the decision was made for what was best for the team at that particular time… and that is I think what we will throughout the series look to do.

“But I certainly see them playing a huge role in the rest of the series because what they bring to the table can never be written off. They are quality players.”

Despite brimming with confidence after their victory in Perth, Sharma admitted that playing under lights with a pink ball at Adelaide Oval would be challenging.

Australia have won all seven of its day-night Tests at the venue including an eight-wicket win over India in 2020 when they were all out for 36 in their second innings.

“You are so used to playing with a red ball and the pink ball certainly does a little bit more than the red ball,” Sharma said. “At the same time we have been training here for the past three days and I certainly felt that the more time you spend playing the pink ball, it gets a little easier.

“The pink ball will have its challenges under lights, during the day as well — you just have to find your own way of dealing with it.”

BOLAND REPLACES HAZLEWOOD

Meanwhile, Scott Boland will replace injured paceman Josh Hazlewood in Australia’s sole change for the second Test, while all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been passed fit to bowl, captain Pat Cummins confirmed on Thursday.

The 35-year-old Boland will play his first Test since last year’s Ashes in England when he fronts up against India, He has been a fan favourite in Australia since his 2021 Test debut at the age of 32 when he took an innings haul of 6-7 at his home Melbourne Cricket Ground to drive the hosts to a big win over England.

Cummins said Adelaide conditions suited the big Victorian quick.

“Traditionally here, there is normally a little bit of nip, which obviously suits Scotty quite well,” Cum­mins told media at the Adelaide Oval.

“All of last summer he was geared up to go, but no one fell over. It feels like it’s been quite a while (since Boland has played). As a captain, it’s pretty awesome to have someone like Scotty come straight in.

“You know he can bowl a huge amount of overs if needed, he is super consistent and has performed at this level.”

Marsh pulled up sore after bowling 17 overs at Perth Stadium, prompting selectors to add uncapped all-rounder Beau Webster to the squad as injury cover.

Cummins said he expected Marsh to bowl at some stage in the Test despite carrying a reported back injury and not bowling at training.

“I’m guessing at some point, he will be required. It’s not a huge concern, you would probably need to speak to the physio,” said Cummins.

“He will … prioritise his overs for the game instead of in the nets.”

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2024