Rahul ready to bat anywhere for India in second Test

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KL Rahul on Wednesday said he will bat “anywhere” as India face a conundrum in the second Test against Australia with the expected return of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.

The 54-Test veteran opened in the first Test in Perth, which India won by 295 runs, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the absence of skipper Rohit, who stayed at home for the birth of his second child.

Number three Gill also missed the game with a thumb injury, but both are set to return for the day-night clash that starts in Adelaide on Friday, leaving selectors with a headache.

Rahul and Jaiswal shared an opening partnership of 201 runs in the 2nd innings in Perth that proved crucial to secure the victory, with both again ready to step up.

It looks like Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel will make way for Rohit and Gill, but who will bat where remains to be seen.

“I have been told but I have also been asked not to share it,” Rahul told reporters when asked if he knew what position he would bat in Adelaide.

“I just want to be in the playing XI. Fit in anywhere. I want to go out there and bat and play for the team.

“Fortunately for me, I’ve batted in different positions,” he added.

“Whether I’m batting at the top of the order or in the middle order, if I can manage the first 30-40 balls at the start, then everything seems like normal batting, that’s what I try to focus on.”

Rahul scored a patient 26 in the first innings in Perth and then a solid 77 in the stands with Jaiswal hitting 161.

While India go into the second match of the five-Test series full of confidence, they have less experience in pink ball cricket than Australia.

And Adelaide has been a successful venue for the home side, winning all seven day-night Tests they have played there, including against India in 2020-21 when the visitors were bundled out for 36.