India will be going into the second Test at the MCG starting December 26 hurting after their humiliating loss in the Adelaide Test. They will also be without their star batter Virat Kohli from now on in the remaining Tests, meaning the management has to find a replacement for him.

Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif has suggested that KL Rahul should be picked in place of Kohli in the Indian middle-order for the Boxing Day Test. While Ajinkya Rahane is set to take the captaincy, he also suggested a few more changes, after the horrendous results of the first Test on Saturday.

Kaif backed the selection of KL Rahul in place of Virat Kohli in the middle order and also reasoned why. Speaking on Sony Sports Network, Kaif stated that Rahul has the experience and has worked hard to improve his game in the shorter formats.

AUS v IND 2020-21: Team India set to make 4 changes in MCG; Siraj, Gill to debut in Boxing Day Test

“When you talk about Melbourne, the problems are there. There are a lot of options if they want to make changes. KL Rahul and Shubman Gill are there. Virat Kohli will go back home after this Test match,” Kaif said.

“I feel KL Rahul should play because he has the experience. Since the time KL Rahul has been dropped from the Indian team, he has put in a lot of effort in the last one and a half to two years and there has been an improvement in his game. He has played well in ODIs and T20Is if we talk about this series also. That is why he should definitely be brought into the team,” he added.

Mohammad Kaif also suggested bringing in Shubman Gill as an opener and termed him an ‘organized player’. Prithvi Shaw’s disappointing performance in Adelaide saw him getting out on 0 and 4 and struggling against the likes of Cummins and Starc.

“Shubman Gill has been drawing a lot of praises. He is an organized player. His IPL was also good. I believe a player who has been playing continuously, in which you can include the IPL as well, in the last few months should be given a chance,” said Kaif.