KL Rahul formula set to continue!! Rohit Sharma instructed to sacrifice his spot for Adelaide Test

After a dominating victory over Australia in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 opener in Perth, India now turns its attention to the day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide, where the tourists are all set to welcome their key players, captain Rohit Sharma and, potentially, Shubman Gill.

As both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gear up to make their mark in the day-night affair at the Adelaide Oval, the big question is who will make way for them.

Cheteshwar Pujara calls for seamless integration of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill for Adelaide Test

Well, Cheteshwar Pujara believes that both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill deserve a spot in the playing XI but suggested that Team India should not disturb the successful opening combination of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, who were on a roll in the Perth Test.

Read Also: Australia preparing spin pitches to drub India? Adam Zampa drops bombshell

The veteran Indian batter has called for seamless integration, as he wants the Indian skipper to bat at No. 3, where his experience could prove invaluable, and Gill at No. 5 to maximize the team’s balance. Pujara further opined that if Rohit wants to open, then KL Rahul must be slotted at No. 3.

Pujara urged the team management to avoid unnecessary tinkering with a solid batting lineup. The right-handed batter suggested that KL Rahul should remain at the top of the order, where his game thrives, and it will help them with the balance of India's formidable batting attack.

KL Rahul should open or bat at No.3 for India in Adelaide Test: Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo: “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. If Rohit wants to open, KL Rahul should bat at No. 3. Nothing later than that. I think he has to bat at the top of the order because it suits his game really well. I hope we don't tinker around with that.”

Pujara further suggested that Shubman Gill should bat at No. 5 after Virat Kohli, and the wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant should come in at No. 6 to avoid facing the new ball in the upcoming pink-ball Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval, starting on December 6.

Read Also: Shubman Gill takes giants steps towards Adelaide Test!! KL Rahul's future in the dark?

'Gill walks in and saves Rishabh Pant for the old ball'

He further noted, “Ideally No. 5. Because it allows him to come in at a time when, 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. 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.”

Apart from these changes, Pujara is against the idea of making any changes to India’s XI for the Day-Night Test, blocking the return of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep.

The veteran Indian Test batter wants the tourists to go with the same bowling attack featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar, given their Perth dominance.