Rohit Sharma kicked aside! KL Rahul-Yashasvi Jaiswal tagged as the best opening pair for Adelaide Test

Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar said KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal should be India's opening pair for the upcoming second Test match of the BGT 2024-25 series. Sanjay Manjrekar added that India might need to adjust Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill in their batting order for the Pink Ball Test match.

Rohit Sharma missed the Perth Test due to the birth of his second child, while Shubman Gill was sidelined with a thumb injury. According to reports, Rohit will join the Indian team in Perth soon. In Rohit's absence, Jasprit Bumrah is leading the side in the first Test against Australia at the Optus Stadium.

KL Rahul Seized Opening Opportunity with Both Hands in Rohit Sharma's Absence

KL Rahul was dropped from the playing XI during the final two Tests against New Zealand. He also struggled for India A against Australia A in Melbourne. However, he was named as Yashasvi Jaiswal's opening partner in the first Test match in Perth due to Rohit's unavailability and Shubman Gill's injury.

The 32-year-old made the most of his opportunity. He played a resilient knock of 26 runs off 74 balls in the first innings before being dismissed controversially caught behind. In the second innings, Rahul, who scored 77 runs off 176 deliveries, added a massive 201-run opening stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul Are Likely To Put Up The Best Opening Partnership - Sanjay Manjrekar

Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Sanjay Manjrekar said that Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul are India's best opening pair for the Adelaide Test. Manjrekar said that it is up to Rohit to decide whether to move down the order. He also stated that Rohit had success at the No. 6 position in Test cricket.

"So you've got KL Raul in form. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul are likely to put up the best opening partnership. Rohit Sharma could suggest, with the kind of form that he has, that you know, 'I don't need to open'," Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPNcricinfo.

"If you can drop Ashwin and Jadeja and pick a Washington Sundar on current reality, that is an option. It will be tough to do, and Rohit Sharma will himself have to decide because there's also that history of Rohit Sharma getting two hundreds in his first two Test matches batting at number six," he added.

Is Going To Be Tough - Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar said that KL Rahul should bat in the top three to counter Australia's new ball threat. Manjrekar also said that the team management will have to use Rahul to handle the tough challenge posed by the new pink ball in the upcoming Test.

"Another thing that Cheteshwar Pujara suggested - he said. KL Rahul at number three, Shubman Gill down the order. And that again makes a lot of sense. Use KL Rahul's technique, his current form, to bat him in the top three, because that is where the challenge is really serious. Rohit Sharma, at the Pink Ball Test match, with the new pink ball, is going to be tough," Manjrekar concluded.

Also read: Watch: Yashasvi Jaiswal reaches 1st 100 in Australia with a 6; gets standing ovation from Virat Kohli-Gautam Gambhir