Harbhajan Singh picks India's openers for the Test series against Australia

Ever since the news of India skipper Virat Kohli returning after the first Test against Australia has surfaced, the questions about the team combination are lingering. India have a plethora of options to open the innings on tour this time around. But the lack of a good middle-order batsman in the absence of their captain will leave a big hole in the line-up.

It seems unlikely that the batting positions of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara will be tinkered with. But the likes of KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma are available to fill in the crucial middle-order slot. Moreover, the latter has also cleared that he is ready to bat anywhere for the team.

However, Harbhajan Singh feels that Rohit should open the innings for India in the Test series regardless of the situation. The other opener will most likely be Mayank Agarwal who did well in Australia where he made his international debut.

He also reckons that KL Rahul is a quality player and can bat in the middle-order as batting position doesn’t matter much to him. “I would not change the opening combination, Rohit Sharma should open in Australia and KL Rahul can fill that slot for Virat Kohli. Rahul is too good a player to bat at No. 3, 4, or even open. It will not make a huge difference if he bats at No. 3 or opens because he is a quality player,” he said while speaking to India Today.

Harbhajan Singh gives his views on Pink Ball Test

Team India is also set to play its first ever away D/N Test with the pink ball on the tour. And Harbhajan Singh is of the opinion that the team which bowls well will have a great chance to win the match. He has also cautioned Australia from taking the Indian bowling attack lightly under the lights.

“Both the teams will be starting from scratch and it will come down to who plays the better cricket and who will bowl better. The pink ball seams around a lot when its new but once the seam settles down it gets easier to bat. Our seamers will be looking forward to bowl with the pink ball because India has got a great line-up.

Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and the others can do the damage which Australia will also look to do,” the 40-year-old added.