Rohit Sharma instructed to sit out of Adelaide Test after KL Rahul's epic showdown in Perth

KL Rahul is one of the most versatile batters going around. The 32-year-old has moved up and down the order across formats and has looked comfortable at any batting spot. He has batted from the opening position to the spot in the lower order.

Recently, he was moved up to open the batting in place of Rohit Sharma for the first Test between Australia and India in Perth. Rahul performed excellently in both the innings and looked comfortable with the new ball.

His performance has now created a selection dilemma in the Indian team as Rohit Sharma is slated to return for the second Test in Adelaide. Former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist feels that it will be tough to drop Rahul even if Rohit comes back for the next game.

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Will KL Rahul be dropped for Rohit Sharma? Adam Gilchrist speaks

While speaking on Cricbuzz, Adam Gilchrist spoke on India's selection dilemma for the opening spot after KL Rahul's brilliant performance in Perth as an opener. Gilchrist reckons that it will be a hard call to leave out Rahul now despite Rohit being expected to open in the next Test.

"It's purely speculation at the moment, but I guess the one thing we do know is the point we touched on KL Rahul is versatile enough to feel any number of those roles and if he's left out after what he's achieved in this series, it'll be a tough leave," Gilchrist said.

"It'd be a hard call, but you would assume that they would only do it if they felt that they were making the Indian team stronger for it," he added.

KL Rahul's performance in Perth

KL Rahul scored 26 off 74 balls in the first innings of the Perth Test and looked a class apart from the other Indian batters, who struggled against some fine Australian bowling. However, he was dismissed controversially.

In the second innings, he ensured to bat long and scored a fine 77 off 176 balls with 5 fours to his name. Rahul formed a record partnership of 201 runs for the first wicket with Yashasvi Jaiswal and helped India reach a strong position.

Adam Gilchrist speaks on India's performance

Adam Gilchrist also touched upon India's turnaround in Perth after a horror home Test series against New Zealand, which they lost 0-3. He claimed that India will be spoilt for options when Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma will be back but it is a nice problem to have.

"What a headache to have two days into a series. Coming over here after a 3-0 dumping to New Zealand and there's a little bit of panic and chaos and uncertainty, and they go up underground for ten days in their build-up and all of a sudden here we are spoilt for options. Nice options for India to have," Gilchrist explained.

"There's a lot to play out between now and then. We need to see what happens with Shubman Gill, and how quickly that injury can heal. What Rohit's mindset is when he turns up, does he come and allow himself a bit more time to be ready for, say, the third test up at the Gabba?" he noted.

Meanwhile, India have tightened its grip on the ongoing Test at Perth with some fine bowling and batting performances so far. After being bowled out for 150 in the first innings, the Men in Blue shot out Aussies for just 104, thus securing a 46-run lead.

Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul formed a historic partnership in the second innings and put Australia right on the backfoot with a double-century partnership.