IND vs AUS: Rohit Sharma sacrifices his spot, reveals India's opening combination for pink-ball Test in Adelaide

IND vs AUS Adelaide Test: KL Rahul will open the batting for India alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the second day-night Test match against Australia in Adelaide. India captain Rohit Sharma confirmed this on Thursday. Rohit’s decision follows the success of Rahul and Jaiswal in the first Test in Perth. In Rohit’s absence, the Rahul-Jaiswal pair forged a 200-run stand in the second innings, paving the way for India’s emphatic 295-run win over the hosts, securing a 1-0 lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

“KL Rahul will open. I'll bat in the middle. It's best for the team,” Rohit Sharma said while addressing the media at the Adelaide Oval in the pre-match press conference. With Shubman Gill likely to come in at no.3 and Virat Kohli at no. 4, it remains to be seen which spot the Indian captain bats.

After getting out cheaply in the first innings of the first Test, both Rahul and Jaiswal came out with flying colours in the second innings. While Jaiswal scored his maiden Test hundred on Australian soil, Rahul looked solid during his innings of 77 and ably guided Jaiswal.

Rohit missed the first Test due to a short paternity break after the birth of his son. The Indian captain started his Test career at No.6 in 2013. He gradually rose up the order over the years before cementing his place as an opener six years later.

A day-night Test match presents a different kind of challenge in Australia, especially for the visiting teams in the twilight phase. For the record, Australia has won 11 out of 12 pink-ball Tests at home.

Speaking on whether Ravichandran Ashwin or Ravindra Jadeja will come in the mix for the Adelaide Test, considering there will be a turn for slow bowlers, Rohit decided to keep the suspense growing. 

“I wasn’t there personally to break the news to Ashwin and Jadeja that they won’t be playing at Perth. The management went with the best team they thought suited that pitch. These two will play a role in the rest of the series. They have been massive to India’s record in the past. We shall look at the pitches and decide,” Rohit said.