Former Australian wicket-keeper bat Adam Gilchrist reckons it will be a hard call for India to leave out KL Rahul for the second Test match against Australia after Rohit Sharma. The full-time skipper will join the team on 24th November in Perth and he will be available for the selection for the pink-ball Test.

Meanwhile, Rahul was under the pump before the opening Test match against Australia because of his mundane form. Rahul was asked to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal and he looked solid as he scored 26 runs off 74 balls before he was given out controversially by the third umpire Richard Illingworth.

On stumps at day two, Rahul is unbeaten on 62 in the second innings and he has added an unbeaten alliance of 172 runs with his opening partner, Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is batting on 90.

“KL Rahul is versatile enough to fill any number of those roles. If he’s left out after what he’s achieved in this series [Test], it will be a tough leave out. It will be a hard call. You would assume that they would only do it they felt that they are making the Indian team stronger for it,” the 53-year-old Aussie legend said on Cricbuzz.

Meanwhile, Shubman Gill also missed the opening Test due to a thumb injury and it will be interesting to note if he recovers on time for the second Test.

“Nice options for India to have. We need to see what happens with Shubman Gill – how quickly that injury can heal. What Rohit’s mindset is when he turns up. Does he come and allow himself a bit more time to be ready for say the third Test at The Gabba? So many variables in there. It’s purely speculation at the moment,” Gilchrist opined.

On stumps at day two, India were able to stretch their lead to 218 to put themselves in front.