Andrew McDonald was enduring the pain with stoicism. At the press conference after the second day’s play between India and Australia, Australia’s head coach conceded that the hosts were “well behind the game.” As he had to do, McDonald added that things could change quickly on Day 3.
Two wicketless sessions have put India in the ascendancy in the first Test. An unbroken 172-run opening partnership between KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal has all but slammed the door shut on the Aussies. Unless the tourists implode spectacularly early on the third day, this is their game to lose now.
Out there in the middle, Pat Cummins tried everything to separate the Indian opening duo. He even gave Marnus Labuschagne a couple of overs. The latter worked up some pace – 135 kph. In zest, he ran on to the protected area of the pitch thrice, getting an official warning in the process.
At the other end, Rahul was as cool as a cucumber. Even when the ball was rearing up and making him hop, he was getting the bottom hand off quickly. The opening partnership revolved around him, although Jaiswal outscored his senior. The pitch eased out considerably on the second day. But even on the first day, when 17 wickets fell, he was the best batsman on show. Rahul’s Test career of infinite highs and lows got another uptick in Perth and it begged the question, should he continue to open in this series?
Dodda Ganesh thinks Rahul should. “Just have KL Rahul opening throughout the tour,” the former India seamer posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday. “For heaven’s sake don’t shuffle his spot again. He’s the best bet to handle the conditions with the new ball. Rohit can bat in the middle order.” He doubled down on it a day later, writing: “This opening partnership has to stay and Rohit will have to bat in the middle order. Hopefully, common sense prevails.” Karnataka bias? Unlikely.
Rohit Sharma is expected to join the team in Perth in a day. But after missing the pre-series practice sessions and match simulations, he will go to the second Test in Adelaide, starting December 6, a little undercooked, notwithstanding that the skipper will play the tour game against the PM-XI in Canberra. The second Test is a pink-ball affair and the extra coat of lacquer on the ball will ensure more swing.
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As for Rahul, a year ago, he scored a magnificent 101 against South Africa at Centurion, batting at No. 6. Then, against England earlier this year, as Virat Kohli was given a leave of absence, the 32-year-old scored 86 in the first innings in Hyderabad, batting at No. 4. A quadriceps injury ruled him out of the remaining matches of the series.
At the start of the new season, the team management decided that Rahul would be the team’s designated No. 6 in Tests. He scored 68 off 43 balls against Bangladesh in Kanpur, batting in that position. He failed against New Zealand in Bangalore – in a game where India were bundled out for 46 in the first innings – and was dropped for the next two Tests. Australia next, and as Rohit was unavailable, he was asked to open the innings. Rahul stood up to be counted.
For far too long, the Indian team has used Rahul as a floater, a horses-for-courses batsman. Over the past four years, he has opened in 23 innings, played at No. 6 in eight innings and batted at No. 4 in two innings. Maybe, Rahul has done enough to earn a settled batting position.
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