Mumbai: After India’s terrific win in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the team is gearing up for the second Test match, which will be played in Adelaide as a Pink Ball Day-Night Test. Indian cricketer and Star Sports expert Cheteshwar Pujara spoke exclusively to Star Sports, sharing his insights on topics ranging from India’s batting lineup to the challenges of a pink-ball Test match.
Speaking exclusively on Star Sports’ Follow The Blues, Cheteshwar Pujara discussed the potential Indian batting lineup following the return of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill to the squad. He said: “In the batting lineup, I think Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jhurel 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. 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.”
On whether there is a need for changes in the bowling lineup, Pujara said: “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.”
Pujara also shared his thoughts on the challenges of the upcoming Pink Ball Day-Night Test: “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.”
