Rahul is ready to bat anywhere for India in the second Test

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KL Rahul on Wednesday said he will bat “wherever” as India face a conundrum in the second Test against Australia with the expected returns of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.

The 54-Test veteran opened the first Test in Perth, which India won by 295 runs, alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the absence of skipper Rohit, who stayed at home due to the birth of his second child.

Number three Gill also missed the game with a thumb injury but both will return for the day-night clash starting in Adelaide on Friday, causing a headache for the selectors.

Rahul and Jaiswal shared a 201-run opening partnership in the second innings in Perth which proved pivotal in securing victory and both were on the rise again.

Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel are expected to make way for Rohit and Gill, but who will bat where remains to be seen.

“I was told but I was also told not to share it,” Rahul told reporters when asked if he knew what position he would play in Adelaide.

“I just want to be in the playing eleven. Fit in anywhere. I want to go out and bat and play for the team.”

“Luckily I fought in different positions,” he added.

“Whether I am batting at the top or in the middle order, if I can get the first 30-40 balls at the start then everything seems like normal batting to me, that is what I try to concentrate on.”

Rahul scored a patient 26 in the first innings in Perth, then a solid 77 in the stand with Jaiswal, who hit 161.

While India head into the second game of the five-Test series full of confidence, they have less experience in pink-ball cricket than Australia.

And Adelaide has been a successful venue for the home team, winning all seven day-night Tests they have played there, including against India in the 2020-21 season when the visitors were drawn 36 games.