India’s veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara wants KL Rahul to bat in the top order in the second Test match against Australia if captain Rohit Sharma opens the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Rohit is all set to return to the final XI after missing the opening Test due to personal reasons.

But Rohit isn’t in the best form as he could only manage 91 runs in three Test matches against New Zealand. Meanwhile, KL Rahul returned with scores of 26 and 77 in the opening Test match of the series against the Aussies and delivered at the top of the order for the visitors. 

Rahul added 201 runs in the second innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal, which is the highest opening alliance for India in Australian conditions. However, with Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma set to return to the playing XI, it will be interesting to note Rahul’s batting position.

“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. 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,” Pujara said on ESPN Cricinfo.

Meanwhile, Pujara said Shubman Gill should bat at number five if he makes a comeback after recovering from a thumb injury.

“Ideally No. 5. 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,” Pujara explained.

“And in case we lose the first three wickets early, Gill walks in and saves Rishabh Pant for the old ball. [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,” the 36-year-old added.

The second Test match between Australia and India, which will be a pink-ball game, will be played at Adelaide Oval from December 6 onwards.