IND v AUS 2020, 2nd Test: India's predicted playing XI

Middle Order: Cheteshwar Pujara, KL Rahul, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk)

Rishabh Pant is expected to replace Wriddhiman Saha

Cheteshwar Pujara laboured his way to 43 in the first innings, and came under criticism for his strike rate of 26.88. But given how the second innings unfolded, few can question the No. 3's approach to batting.

Pujara's importance to the team has been heightened by the absence of Virat Kohli, and with the openers not offering much confidence, he might be called into action against the brand new ball once again.

The No. 4 spot is up for grabs without Kohli in the picture. Hanuma Vihari could be promoted a couple of spots up the order, while captain Ajinkya Rahane could move up one spot and shoulder more responsibility.

But the most likely candidate for the role is KL Rahul, since Rahane wouldn't want to step too far out of his comfort zone and batted at No. 5 even in the second warm-up game that had neither Pujara nor Kohli. The 28-year-old will make a comeback to the Test team after quite a while, and shouldn't feel too out of place in the middle order, where he bats in the limited-overs formats.

As mentioned earlier, coming in at No. 5 will be captain Rahane, who has a lot on his plate. Often India's most consistent overseas batsman, the 32-year-old will need to improve upon his performance in the 1st Test. He bagged a 4-ball duck in the second innings, and can't afford to repeat the same in this game.

Rahane will take confidence from his hundred in one of the warm-up games, as will Vihari. The Andhra Pradesh-born right-hander managed only 24 runs across the two innings of the 1st Test, and his place in the team could come under question when Rohit returns.

The concerning fact is that Vihari has gotten out in a variety of ways over the course of his short Test career, with the short ball and the inswinger bringing about his downfall on more than one occasion. He is absolutely crucial to India's fortunes in the remainder of the series.

Wriddhiman Saha had a horror outing in the 1st Test, scoring only 13 runs and dropping two tough chances with the gloves on. The 36-year-old was dismissed in tame fashion in both innings, and is all but confirmed to make way for the dynamic Rishabh Pant.