Australia vs India 2018, 2nd Test: What India's battling line-up might look like

Having got a 1-0 lead in the 4-match test series against Australia, India is eagerly looking forward to cementing their place in the series. While some experts have predicted 3-1 and 4-0 in India’s favour, Australia doesn’t look as weak a side as expected.

The hosts put up an enthralling fight against the visitors and a brilliant performance by Nathan Lyon with both the bat and the ball kept them in the race till the final day. Just because India are the favourites of the series, it doesn’t mean they should take the hosts lightly.

Australia, having lost the first match by 31 runs will try hard to bounce in the second test match at Perth scheduled on 14th December. The Indian team could try this batting line up at Perth to cement their place in the 4-match test series.

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#1 Rohit Sharma

Rohit should be given the opportunity to start the innings for India

The hitman Rohit Sharma is India’s best bet to open the innings at Perth. He came in to bat down at number 4 in the first match at Adelaide and it didn’t do well for him or the team. Rohit Sharma looked like he was onto something big before being dismissed by Nathan Lyon in both the innings.

If there’s any position that’s suitable and comfortable for the batsman, it is the opening slot. He has been opening the innings for India in the shortest formats of the game and has been paying dividends since then. It’s high time for the team to give Sharma a chance to start the innings – because everyone wants to see those Sehwag-style shots again.

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#2 Murali Vijay

Vijay has to deliver at Perth to cement his place in the squad

The second test match at Perth is arguably the most important test match for Murali Vijay. He was dismissed for 11 and 18 in the first and second innings at Adelaide and it's high time for him to prove himself to cement his place in the team. Alongside Rohit Sharma, he can definitely rope in some runs and make a good opening partnership.

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#3 KL Rahul

Rahul has the ability to score big.

Another player whose test career is on the narrow side of the road; Rahul has to deliver promisingly at Perth. With a talented player like Mayank Agarwal waiting for a chance to make his mark, this test series is Rahul’s last chance to cement his place in the squad. This stylish player is capable of delivering a sound innings with his excellent style of play and is one of the players to watch out for most at Perth.

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#4 Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara was named the man of the match at Adelaide

Anyone who is a fan of the longest format of the game very well knows the fact that there’s no one like Pujara. The man of the match of the first test match at Adelaide, Pujara is one among those batsmen who like to spend quality time on the field.

His match-winning innings of 123 and 71 enabled India to clinch the first match. He is one of those batsmen who could support his fellow batsman to score big and build a steady partnership.

#5 Virat Kohli

There’s no questioning the talent Virat Kohli is capable of delivering. The Indian skipper has numerous test wins under his cap and is looking forward to striking hard at Perth after having delivered unimpressive innings at Adelaide.

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#6 Ajinkya Rahane

Rahane helped India gather a lead in the second innings

The Indian vice-captain made a solid 70 and helped India gather a crucial lead in the second innings. Though he had a poor first inning score of 13, this technically sound batsman came in strongly in the second innings. With a sound batsman like Rahane in the middle order, the Indian team need not worry when it comes to building partnerships with the tail-enders.

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#7 Rishabh Pant

Pant has been impressive behind the stumps

Rishabh made a decent 25 and 28 in the two innings but failed to make an impression. He has performed well behind the stumps compared to the India tour of England earlier this year. But this wicket-keeper batsman has to set aside his aggressive strokes and support his fellow batsman in building a low order partnership.

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#8 Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin has been good with the bat and ball.

The star all-rounder Ashwin bagged 6 wickets and scored a total of 30 runs in the first test match and made a promising contribution to the team. He is one batsmen India can depend on even if their top order batsmen collapse. He has the ability to rope in some runs if he gets a decent support.

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#9 Ishant Sharma

Ishant delivered promisingly at Adelaide.

He is arguably one of the best batsmen among the tail-enders. He can support his batsmen and help them build a partnership when coming to the tail end.

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#10 Mohammed Shami

Shami can help India gather some runs as well.

Shami has the capability to swing his bat in all directions and can be vital in garnering some runs when the team is edging closer to an all-out. He can get some quick runs for India in the form of a couple of boundaries that might help the team in the long run.

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#11 Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah is trying hard to contribute with the bat as well.

Bumrah is a player who keeps on sharpening his skills – be it with the bat or the ball. Though he has no history of performing good with the bat, he has shown some improvement over the years. His defensive strokes against Nathon Lyon in the first innings is a clear example of how he is trying to improve as a batsman.