KL Rahul to open as Rohit Sharma drops down the order for second Test against Australia

India captain Rohit Sharma has confirmed that KL Rahul will retain his spot as an opener in the second Test against Australia, set to begin on 6 December in Adelaide.

Rohit, returning after missing the first Test for the birth of his second child, will move down the batting order in a tactical change aimed at bolstering the team's middle order.

Rahul impressed in the first Test, contributing a steady 26 in the first innings before crafting a crucial 77 during a 201-run opening partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal.

His efforts were instrumental in India's dominant 295-run victory in Perth.

Speaking ahead of the pink-ball Test, Rohit said, "KL will open. The way he batted and his partnership with Jaiswal was instrumental in that first Test win. The way he has performed outside India, he deserves this opportunity. I will bat somewhere in the middle."

Rohit acknowledged that the decision wasn't easy on a personal level but emphasised its importance for the team.

While he did not confirm the exact batting line-up, Shubman Gill's expected return from a thumb injury likely means he will slot into the number three position, with Rohit moving to number five between Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant.

Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel, who featured in Perth, are the probable players to make way for the skipper and Gill.

India's first Test victory came without seasoned players like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who were left out of the playing XI.

When asked about their roles for the series, Rohit reiterated their value but stopped short of confirming their inclusion in Adelaide.

"Unfortunately, I wasn't there to break the news to them that they wouldn't be playing the first game," Rohit said. "It's always difficult to leave out experienced players like them, but the decision was made for the team's benefit. I still see them playing a significant role in the rest of the series because their quality is unquestionable."