KL Rahul should not be asked to open the innings in the first Test match of the India vs Australia series at Perth, believes former India cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara.

Pujara believes that KL Rahul would be better off playing at the critical No 3 spot for the Indian team.

“I don’t know the batting order. I would prefer him (KL Rahul) at No. 3 because he has the experience to bat there,” Pujara said in Star Sports press room.

There is chatter that KL Rahul will be asked to open the innings in the first India vs Australia match, which starts on Friday morning. Rahul will join young Yashasvi Jaiswal in the middle as both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are missing.

it’s likely that Karnataka’s Devdutt Padikkal will slot at No 3 position.

“It seems that the Indian cricket team is preferring to play Devdutt (Padikkal) at No 3 position to have a left-right combination at the top. He has batted at No 5 or No 6 in the middle order. It will be easier to bat at No 3 than opening for him. If he can bat at No 3, it will be good.”

Pujara also praised the Mumbai youngster Jaiswal, comparing him to Australia’s David Warner.

“Jaiswal is one of the most talented cricketers India has produced… I’m very confident that going forward, he has a lot to prove. I know he will play a key role in this series if we have to win. His role would be one of the most important ones. He can play a role similar to what David Warner used to do for the Australian team,” said Pujara.

The veteran cricketer added: “Obviously, there will be challenges throughout this series, but Jaiswal is mentally tough. He prepares really, really well. He hits a number of balls and loves batting.”