Virat Kohli will return from Australia after the first Test due to the birth of his first child. Team India will then be led by Ajinkya Rahane in the last three test matches. Meanwhile, veteran Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has identified the player who is the ideal candidate to replace Virat Kohli at number four in the Indian batting line-up. Talking to India Today, Bhajji clarified his opinion on who should open the batting and who should bat at number four.

With India potentially having a number of openers, Harbhajan said that Rohit Shama should open the batting with Mayank Agarwal with KL Rahul batting at number four.

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Harbhajan Singh Backs KL Rahul to Replace Virat Kohli at No 4

“I would not change the opening combination, Rohit Sharma should open in Australia and KL Rahul can fill that slot for Virat Kohli. Rahul is too good a player to bat at No. 3, 4, or even open. It will not make a huge difference if he bats at No. 3 or opens because he is a quality player,” Harbhajan Singh told to India Today.

Harbhajan Singh further spoke on how he thinks the Test series will pan out. He said that the team which will play better cricket will win the series as both teams will start from scratch.

“Both the teams will be starting from scratch and it will come down to who plays the better cricket and who will bowl better. The pink ball seams around a lot when its new but once the seam settles down it gets easier to bat. Our seamers will be looking forward to bowl with the pink ball because India has got a great lineup. Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and the others can do the damage which Australia will also look to do,” Harbhajan further added.

KL Rahul was also appointed as the vice-captain of the team for this series after his successful IPL stint with Kings XI Punjab this season. He ended as the top run-getter of the season with 670 runs from 14 games.

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