KL Rahul set to open alongside Abhimanyu Easwaran in 2nd unofficial Test against Australia A - Reports
Team India batter KL Rahul is set for a promotion back up the order in red-ball cricket as he is reported to open the batting for India 'A' in the upcoming second unofficial Test against Australia 'A'. The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side are currently trailing 0-1, with the series finale scheduled to begin from Thursday, November 7 onwards in Melbourne.
Rahul was a last-minute addition to the India 'A' squad after he was on the bench for the latter part of the main squad's 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand. Dhruv Jurel was another addition to the shadow tour to get some valuable game-under his belt after missing out on the playing XI for the entirety of the home season.
KL Rahul has been considered a middle-order batter since the tour of South Africa, and was not even considered for the No.3 role when India were without Shubman Gill in the series opener against New Zealand in Bengaluru. The decision to push the batter up the order might be to expose him to as many deliveries as possible, aiding his preparation.
Another theory is that he might be in consideration to open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in skipper Rohit Sharma's absence for the initial part of the Border-Gavaskar series. Team India have named Abhimanyu Easwaran as the reserve opener in the squad, but the management are looking at all possible options before coming to a decision.
The switch in the batting order will force skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad down the order at No.3.
According to a report by ESPN Cricinfo, Ishan Kishan is likely to make way for Dhruv Jurel in terms of the wicket-keeping responsibilities of the side.
KL Rahul averages 34.95 as an opener in Tests
While numbers may not help KL Rahul's case when a potential promotion is being debated, the one major factor that works in his favor is experience. The batter has extensive experience batting overseas, since making his debut in Australia itself exactly a decade ago.
He scored a ton in his maiden series in Sydney while opening the innings, and has also amassed patient tons in England and South Africa, under challenging conditions against potent bowling units.
KL Rahul last opened the innings for India during the 2023 Border-Gavaskar series, where he was not among the runs on rank turners against Australia's spin attack.