India will have to rejig their line-up for the second Test, with Rohit and Gill set to return to the XI.
Having defeated Australia by 295 runs in the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Perth, Team India are leading the five-match series 1-0. The second Test will be played with pink ball from December 6 to 10 at the Adelaide Oval.
The visitors will have to rejig their line-up for the day-night Test, with regular skipper Rohit Sharma and No. 3 batter Shubman Gill set to return to the playing XI.
Speaking on Star Sports' Follow The Blues, veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara addressed the expected changes in the Indian batting order while also providing his perspective on how these alterations might impact the team's strategy.
"In the batting lineup, I think Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel will unfortunately miss out. Rohit and Shubman Gill will replace them in the next Test match. And if we talk about the batting order, I think KL Rahul should play in the top order. He should be able to bat in the top 3. So, Rohit will obviously open. But if KL Rahul bats in the top 3, it will be good for the Indian team. Because the way he played in the first Test match, he was very comfortable. And he was batting very well,” Pujara said.
"And if Shubman Gill bats at no. 5, when he will come to bat, the ball will be a little old. And he can play his natural game. He plays some attacking shots, so that will also be a little easy for him. And because of that, Rishabh Pant can come in at number 6. And it will be a little easier for him too. When the ball gets a little old, it is a little easier for him to bat. So, I think if there is any change in the batting order, then Rohit should open, KL should bat at 3, and Shubman Gill at number 5," he added.
Pujara further highlighted how this batting order would benefit Rishabh Pant, who could come in at No. 6 and face a less challenging ball.
Pujara was satisfied with India’s bowling performance in Perth and advised against making any changes to the attack.
"Our bowling was very good in the first Test match. There is no need for any change in bowling. Washington has also taken two wickets. The way Harshit bowled, the way Nitesh bowled, there is no need for any change there. And Bumrah and Siraj are bowling very well."
Finally, Pujara spoke about the challenges posed by the pink-ball day-night Test match, emphasizing the different playing conditions and the need for adjustments.
Despite Australia's impressive record in pink-ball Tests, Pujara expressed confidence in India's ability to compete.
"In Pink Ball, you need a little more reaction time. You have to speed up your footwork. The ball skids and comes quickly. So, there is a little less time than Red Ball. You will have to make some adjustments there. This match will be even because Australia's record with the Pink Ball is very good. They have not lost a single match so far. I have a feeling that they will try to come back in the series. But the way the first Test match went, we performed very well. So, I think this will be an even contest and a very interesting Test match,” Pujara remarked.