Cheteshwar Pujara made a bold claim and stated that India will struggle to replace the veteran duo amid talks of a transition in the Test team. India left out both Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja from the playing XI for the 295-run victory in the Perth Test in what was their first assignment post the 3-0 series defeat against New Zealand at home.

Cheteshwar Pujara wants KL Rahul to open the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the second Test against Australia despite the arrival of skipper Rohit Sharma.

Shedding light on how India’s batting unit could look like for the Adelaide Test, Cheteshwar Pujara suggested a couple of his opinions. Talking to ESPNCricinfo, Pujara said, “I think, for some reason if we can carry on with the same batting order, like KL and Yashasvi to open, Rohit could come in at three, and Shubman could come in at five.”

Rohit Sharma missed the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth due to the birth of his second child. In his absence, Jasprit Bumrah led India to a convincing 295-run win at the Optus Stadium.

KL Rahul opened the innings for India alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first Test as captain Rohit Sharma was unavailable. With Rohit re-joining the Indian squad, there is uncertainty over where Rahul will bat in the next match.

Rohit's absence in the series opener in Perth allowed India to move Rahul to the top of the order from the middle order

Cheteshwar Pujara feels that Indian cricket team should continue with KL Rahul as an opener in the second Test against Australia in Adelaide while captain Rohit Sharma can bat at No.3 and if Shubman Gill is back,