India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has left the decision on the opening slot for the first Test against Australia open, with versatile batter KL Rahul as a strong contender to fill in should Rohit Sharma be unavailable for the series opener in Perth. The first Test is scheduled to start on November 22 at the Optus Stadium, and with reports suggesting that Rohit may miss the match due to a family commitment, India is looking at potential replacements for the opening position alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal.
KL Rahul, who has experience opening in Tests, could slot in if required, though Gambhir clarified that the final decision would be made closer to the match. Uncapped Abhimanyu Easwaran was included in the squad as a backup for the opener's role, but both Easwaran and Rahul had lackluster performances during India A’s unofficial Test against Australia A last week, which has left the opening spot still uncertain.
Gambhir spoke about Rahul's adaptability and highlighted his importance to the team. "If Rohit is not available for the first Test match, there is KL Rahul," Gambhir said during a press conference. He went on to emphasize the significance of having experienced players like Rahul, who can bat not only at the top of the order but also in the middle or even at No. 6. "He can keep wicket; he can do the job for us if Rohit is not available," Gambhir added. Rahul's ability to play in multiple roles makes him an asset to the team, although Gambhir also acknowledged that players generally perform better when they have a fixed role. Rahul has struggled for form recently, which could be attributed to his frequent shuffling in the batting order, especially in Test cricket.
India's readiness for the challenge in Australia remains a key focus, and with Gambhir’s experience at the helm, the team will be looking to make the right call ahead of the first Test. The decision on whether Rahul will open the batting alongside Jaiswal, or whether Easwaran will be handed a chance, will be closely monitored as India aims to get their Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign off to a strong start.
