 "R Ashwin was among the three changes India made for the Adelaide Test vs Australia. Image: Reuters")
KL Rahul was retained as opener alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal while captain Rohit Sharma returned to the playing XI as India won the toss and decided to bat first in the second Test against Australia in the second Test at Adelaide Oval on Friday (6 December).
Team India overall made three changes as Shubman Gill, Rohit, and R Ashwin came in for Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, and Washington Sundar.
Rohit explains decision to bat first in Adelaide
Rohit confirmed once again at the toss that he will bat in the middle-order.
“Looks a good pitch, looks a bit dry at the moment, enough grass covering as well. It’ll have some carry for the fast bowlers. As the game goes on, it’ll get better to bat on. There will be something in it for everyone. It’s going to be a good game. I have been here for two weeks now. Had a good hit in the nets, played a game as well, ready to go now,” Rohit said at the toss.
“It’s a long series, we just want to focus on how we can get the results in our favour, we’ll try and do most things right in this game. I am happy, the fast bowlers are happy as well (with the break). The breaks are welcome. Momentum is also important. We want to carry from where we left. We have made 3 changes. I am back, Gill is back. Ashwin is back. I am batting in the middle order which is different, but I am ready for the challenge.”
The home team, Australia, made one change with pacer Scott Boland replacing injured Josh Hazlewood .
India XI for 2nd Test vs Australia: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Rohit Sharma(c), Nitish Reddy, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Australia XI for 2nd Test vs India: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland