Pujara wants Rohit Sharma to come in at 3 for Adelaide Test

Feels that the opening combination should not be tinkered with after a 295-run win in the series opener against Australia

Canberra: KL Rahul’s spot at the top in the team hangs in balance, thanks to the arrival of skipper Rohit Sharma. However,  Cheteshwar Pujara feels that the opening combination should not be tinkered with after a 295-run win in the series opener against Australia.

Jaiswal scored a memorable hundred while Rahul too was impressive, collecting 26 and 77 in the two innings in Perth. Rohit’s absence in the series opener in Perth allowed India to move Rahul to the top of the order from the middle order. Pujara said Rahul should open the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the second Test.

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“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.

“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.” Gill, who missed the first Test due to a thumb injury, is also expected to feature in the playing eleven in the day-night Test beginning December 6.

“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,” Pujara said. “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.

“[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. Gill has opened the batting in Australia but has now moved down to number three. India also play a two-day warm up game in Canberra ahead of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide.