Rahul’s return means he will open batting with Murali Vijay and indications are in-form Parthiv may bat down the order
It's 1 O'clock in the afternoon. It's first week of December and is surprisingly hot. Mumbai weather isn't that bad usually in this time of the year. To come out of an air-conditioned box and to stand under the scorching sun is tough.
On a strip adjacent to the Wankhede Stadium's centre pitch, a Team India batsman in seen taking throw-downs from one of the support staff on Tuesday afternoon. He is the first among the lot to come. Rest will follow more than 45 minutes later.
There is confusion in the press box with the identity of the player. "Is he Virat Kohli?," asks somebody. No, that may be KL Rahul.
Yes, it's indeed Rahul, who is returning from his second injury break. The Karnataka batsman had injured his forearm while fielding in the second Test against England in Vizag only to be ruled out of the next Test at Mohali
Rahul's return has raised a debate of a kind – who is going to open the innings with Murali Vijay.
Ideally, Rahul easily makes his case stronger to face the new cherry considering that opening the innings is his bread and butter.
But it would be unfair on a certain Parthiv Patel. The wicket-keeper batsman has more than impressed everyone with his return to the international arena with some decent and aggressive batting in the first and second innings of the third Test after Wriddhiman Saha was ruled out of the last game due to thigh strain. Saha is yet to recover completely and has been given an extended rest.
Patel's 67 not out was instrumental in chasing down England's target with ease as India took a 2-0 lead in the five-match Test series.
More than the runs, it was the way Patel scored that earned him a lot of praise. He tore apart the English seamers with his cuts and pulls while also stepping out to loft the spinners over their heads.
On the other hand, Vijay's form has seen a dip after his 126 in the first innings in Rajkot in the first Test against England.
However, it would not be wise to ask Vijay bat down the order.
In the last few Tests, India have tested different opening pairs. In the first Test in Rajkot, Gautam Gambhir started with Vijay before Rahul got back to open with the former in Vizag. In Mohali, Patel faced the new ball with Vijay.
"It is not in our control, injuries are part and parcel of the game. Unfortunately, Rahul got hit while he was fielding in Vizag and that is how he got the injury. Ideally yes, that's the settled opening pair (Vijay and Rahul) you would want but I think in the circumstances, we have done really well," India's head coach Anil Kumble on Tuesday.
"Parthiv came in the last game and did a fantastic job at the top. I am sure Rahul will have a hit today and will be fine, let's see how it goes," he added.
"For New Zealand, we had three different opening pairs, even in the West Indies we had an injury to Vijay and then Shikhar got injured against New Zealand, then Gautam had that freak injury in Indore but he could bat. So, I think there is something happening with the openers in terms of injury, I hope that doesn't go on. There has to be some stop at some stage," said Kumble.
While it is more likely that Rahul would open with Vijay, Patel will have to be content batting where Saha batted, at No. 7, or may be above R Ashwin, at No.6.
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