Ever since the 200-run opening partnership between KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the second innings of the Perth Test match, there was a constant discussion whether Team India should continue this in the entire series. Captain Rohit Sharma was not a part of the first Test match, so Rahul took the responsibility of opening and impressed in both the innings. Since then, many former cricketers and fans have suggested that Rohit should come at number three or middle order instead of opening. But will this happen? The first practice session of the Indian team to prepare for the day-night Test match in Adelaide indicated that Rohit is ready for this sacrifice.

On Tuesday 3 December, Team India took part in its first practice session at the Adelaide Oval ground. During this, all the players sharpened their preparation with the pink ball and sweated profusely. Captain Rohit, who was out of the first Test and was out after playing only 11 balls in the practice match against Prime Minister's XI, also spent a long time in the nets. During this period, he bravely faced the throw-down experts and fast bowlers of the team and gradually appeared in good form.

Indication of batting position found in practice

In this nets session, Rohit's batting was seen well, which made the fans present there happy, but its other aspect was more important, which gave an indication about Rohit's batting position in the Adelaide Test. According to reports, when Team India came out to bat, all the batsmen went to different nets in pairs. During this time, Jaiswal and Rahul were in one net, which seemed to seal the continuity of the opening pair. Then Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli also went to the nets together, which was enough to show that there would be no disturbance to the positions of these two batsmen at number three and four. Rishabh Pant, i.e. the number five and six batsmen, came to bat with captain Rohit.

The challenge for Rohit is the role of number 5.

This was enough to indicate that Rohit and coach Gautam Gambhir have approved the change in the captain's batting position. Rohit has given up his place for the sake of the team but in return he has taken a big challenge, which is not going to be easy. In fact, if Rohit comes at number five then he may have to struggle. Rohit's record in this position is not good. Before becoming a Test opener in 2019, Rohit was batting at number five and six in the middle order but he could not get any special success. At number five, Rohit has scored only 437 runs in 16 innings at an average of 29.13. He has scored 3 half-centuries with his bat.

Day-night test brought double challenge

However, at number six, he scored 1037 runs in 25 innings at an excellent average of 54.57, which included 3 centuries. That means Rohit can prove to be more effective at number 6. But there is another problem in the day-night test, which presents a bigger challenge than the record at number five or six. If Team India bats on the very first day of the day-night test and loses 2-3 wickets by the second session, then the middle order will have to come to bat. The second session will be going on at the time which is considered to be the most difficult for batting in day-night test – twilight. That is, that time in the evening when light and darkness start mixing with each other. During this time it is more difficult to see the pink ball. That means Rohit has accepted a double challenge for himself for the sake of the team.