IND vs AUS 1st Test: Who Should Bat with Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara for India? Here are the 3 Best Combinations for the Indian Middle Order. Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara are no-brainers in the Indian middle order in the first Test. However, who should bat at numbers 5 and 6 for India in the 1st Test against Australia? Earlier, it was expected that Shreyas Iyer would bat at 5, followed by Ishan Kishan at 6. However, Iyer has gotten injured, and now the chances of Suryakumar Yadav playing in the 1st Test are quite high. Here we have selected the best combinations for India in the middle overs for the 1st Test against Australia.
IND vs AUS 1st Test: Best Middle Order Combinations for India
1- Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan
It is a given that Pujara and Kohli are going at number 3 and 4 for India in the 1st Test against Australia. However, at 5th position, we see KL Rahul coming to bat, followed by Ishan Kishan. Rahul has done well for India in ODIs at number 5, and Team India will be hoping that he replicates the same level of success in the Tests. Ishan Kishan can be the replacement that India is seeking for Rishabh Pant in the Tests. He can play a blazing knock for India at any point of time in the match.
2- Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav and KS Bharat
The second option is to have Suryakumar Yadav fulfil the role Rishabh Pant used to play with the bat in the Indian Test line-up. KS Bharat can be brought in place of Ishan Kishan as the latter has been failing in international cricket in recent periods of time. This combination will provide the attacking impetus and solid defence to the Indian team in the middle order. Also, KS Bharat is a reliable wicketkeeper.
3- Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav
If KL Rahul can keep the wickets for India, then the Rohit Sharma-led side can afford to play both Rahul and Suryakumar in the middle order. However, Rahul’s wicketkeeping abilities are still a big concern, and it is the most unlikely combination among the three that India will choose to go in the 1st Test against Australia.