Australia vs India: Gavaskar bats for KL Rahul at top in Boxing Day Test

While Adelaide Test was a forgettable outing for the entire Indian team, it was a nightmare of a Test for one man in particular – Prithvi Shaw. Shaw’s identical dismissals in both innings of the Test match made him the most discussed cricketer from the Test. Experts dissected his ‘flawed technique’ while fans on social media questioned the move of him being preferred over Shubhman Gill.

There are now suggestions that he should be dropped from the next Test in Melbourne starting December 26. But who will replace him at the top? Another U-19 famed Shubhman Gill or someone else? Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar thinks that KL Rahul should replace Shaw at the top.

“India will look at making 2 changes. Firstly, maybe Kl Rahul should replace Prithvi Shaw as an opener. At No. 5 or No. 6, Shubman Gill should come in. His form has been good. Things can change if we start well,” Gavaskar told Sports Tak.

He also talked about the need of starting well in Boxing Day Test.

“India should start the Melbourne Test well, it’s necessary for them to step onto the ground with a lot of positivity. Australia’s weak point is their batting,” he said.

“India have to believe that they can come back in the remainder of the Test series. If India don’t find the positivity, then there 4-0 series loss can happen. But if they have positivity, why not? It can happen (comeback). It’s natural that there is anger after such a performance. But in cricket, anything can happen. Look at how the scene was yesterday, and what has happened today,” Gavaskar added.

Gavaskar also pointed out that India’s fielding cost them dearly in the first innings of the Adelaide Test.

“Had we held on to our catches well and had good field placements, there might not have been any problem, Tim Paine and Marnus Labuschagne would have gotten out early. We could have got a lead of 120 runs. Australia got ahead in the Tests because of those dropped catches, they got the lead down to 50 runs,” he concluded.

It is now a foregone conclusion that India will make a few changes for the Melbourne Test. Which player and where is the question that will keep the fans and experts engaged till the eve of the second Test.