India face a selection headache ahead of the pink-ball Test against Australia, starting Friday (December 6) at the Adelaide Oval. Rohit Sharma, who missed the first Test due to paternity leave, is set to return as a captain.

Shubman Gill, who was ruled out of the Perth Test due to a fractured thumb, is also back in contention. With Rohit and fit-again Gill set to return to the playing XI, likely replacing Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel, the team management must address the opening combination.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul stitched a double-century stand as openers in Perth’s second innings, making a strong case to retain their partnership.

Amid the dilemma, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has backed Rohit to open for India with Rahul dropping down to No. 6.

"He [Rohit Sharma] opens the batting. Short square boundaries will suit his kind of batting. Rahul drops down to No.6, in place of Jurel. And at No.3, Shubman Gill comes in place of Devdutt Padikkal. That would be my XI," Gavaskar said during a discussion on Star Sports.

Talking about the bowling combination, the 75-year-old suggested that changes should be based on the pitch conditions in Adelaide.

"I would maybe look at Washington Sundar's place. Nitish Reddy will have to stay because it's a pink-ball Test; he will be your fourth seamer, fourth bowler. Whether you want to bring in Ashwin or Jadeja, that's the call they have to take once they go and see what the pitch has on offer," he remarked.

When asked about concerns over Rohit Sharma's form, Gavaskar replied: "No, not at all. Somebody of his class and calibre - it doesn't matter at all. The first time he comes in, he can get a hundred just like that. No worries."

India lead the five-match series 1-0 after a thumping 295-run win in the Perth Test under the captaincy of Jasprit Bumrah.