IND vs AUS second Test: Team announced, KL Rahul Not included in Playing XI did raise a few questions
Team India announced its playing XI for the Boxing Day Test against Australia, starting December 26 in Melbourne.
While there were a few expected changes in the team, the absence of KL Rahul from the XI did raise a few eyebrows. The pairing of Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal was entrusted with the responsibility of opening the innings in the Test series opener at Adelaide.
After Shaw failed to make the most of his opportunity, he was replaced by Shubman Gill at the top. It has to be noted that Gill hasn’t yet played for India in the longest format.
The Boxing Day Test will be his first outing in the whites for India. Many expected that Rahul could be put in the XI in place of Shaw while Gill could take up the void left by skipper Virat Kohli who has returned home for the birth of his baby. Gill had taken up the No. 3 spot in the Indian team in the 2 practice Tests and had done reasonably well.
Yet, he found a spot in the team in place of the opener Shaw. What triggered debate among fans is the fact that Rahul is now way down the pecking order when it comes to openers. The Karnataka lad sits behind the likes of Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal as well as Shubman Gill.
What happens when Rohit Sharma returns?
Another big question that surrounds the openers’ conundrum in the Indian team is the availability of Rohit Sharma. The Hitman, who is presently in quarantine in Sydney, will be available for the third Test against Australia starting January 07.
Considering the buzz around Rohit’s availability and his stature as an opening batsman, he would be expected to be drafted straight into the playing XI as soon as he is available. Such a situation puts KL Rahul further down the pecking order in the Indian team.
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