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Rohit Demoted; KL Rahul To Open As Gill Returns In India's Probable XI For 2nd Test vs Australia 

India will meet Australia in Adelaide for Pink-Ball Test (Source: BCCI/X.com)India will meet Australia in Adelaide for Pink-Ball Test (Source: BCCI/X.com)

The highly awaited Pink Ball Test between India and Australia kicks off on Thursday, December 5. The anticipation builds up as the two heavyweights prepare to meet one another in one of the most challenging cricketing conditions. Despite emerging victorious in the Perth Test, there are specific changes that India is expected to make ahead of the second Test.

Although Jasprit Bumrah led the side without India's regular skipper, Rohit Sharma, it is understood that Rohit, who arrived in Perth after the birth of his son Ahaan, will be captaining the side for the day and night Test match. While he was away, it was KL Rahul who opened the innings for the team alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, the duo made the Aussies dance to their beats as they built a 201-run opening partnership, the highest-ever opening stand for India against Australia.

Where will Rohit Sharma bat in Adelaide?

KL Rahul's calm and composed innings of 77 runs off 176 balls was crucial in India's second innings. Keeping this in mind and as confirmed by Rohit Sharma, he will come out to bat lower in the order probably ahead of Rishabh Pant instead of his usual spot. Rohit, who began his Test career in the middle order before transitioning to an opening role, has a good batting record. He has scored 1,474 runs at an average of 43.35 in 41 innings, including nine half-centuries and three centuries while batting at No. 5 or lower.

Meanwhile, it is also expected that Shubman Gill, who missed the first Test due to injury, will likely return to the playing XI. Gil, who smashed a half-century in PM's XI practice game, will bat at his regular position, i.e. No.3, ahead of Virat Kohli. With the inclusion of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma, wicket-keeper batters Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal will miss out.

Ashwin-Jadeja Stay Out; Bumrah To Lead

India will not make any changes on the bowling front, and Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will continue to be benched. Jasprit Bumrah's led bowling line-up will feature Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar, who will chip in if necessary.

India's Probable XI For Adelaide Test

KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah