Australia vs India 2018: Who should bat at No. 6 for India - Rohit Sharma or Hanuma Vihari?

As India head to the first Test at the Adelaide Oval which starts on 6 December 2018, the fans will be looking forward to see who will grab the number six position in the Indian batting line up.

Will it be Rohit Sharma, who hasn't played any major red ball cricket since his last match against South Africa, or Hanuma Vihari, who has been excellent in domestic cricket and made his debut in England with a half-century?

The selection of Rohit for the Australian Test squad had raised multiple questions among fans and former cricketers. He was neither part of the team which traveled to England, nor was he involved in the series against West Indies at home.

However, the MSK Prasad led selectors made a surprise call to include India's limited overs vice-captain in the Test side as well.

Rohit had a decent outing in the first innings against Cricket Australia XI in India's only practice game at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He scored a quick 40 off 55 balls before walking back to the pavilion, and didn't get a chance to bat in the second innings.

Hanuma Vihari

On the other hand, Vihari had an excellent domestic season and debuted with a half-century in England. He batted ahead of Rohit in the practice game and scored a brilliant half-century, forming valuable partnerships in the middle order.

India decided to provide him with more practice in the second innings ahead of Rohit at the SCG. Vihari batted at number three after the dismissal of KL on day four of the practice game, and remained unbeaten at the close of the play.

Considering the way the practice game went for Vihari, and the fact that he can be a handly part-time spin bowler in the side too, he may be favored ahead of Rohit for the first Test. He would be particularly useful since none of the players India's in top five bowls regularly in international Test cricket. With only four specialist bowlers at India's disposal in the first Test, Vihari could be an important utility player in the side.

We will have to wait and see what Kohli thinks about the team for the first Test, and who will fit in at number six at Adelaide Oval. But given the recent circumstances, it would not be a surprise to see Vihari being given the nod over Rohit.