Prithvi Shaw’s injury has opened up a batting spot in the Indian line-up for the first Test. The 19-year-old batsman was set to open the innings for India along with Murali Vijay. Prithvi suffered a ligament damage to his left ankle while attempting a catch during India’s practice game against the Cricket Australia XI at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It is now confirmed that Prithvi will not ab available for the first Test at the Adelaide Oval. Prithvi Shaw Injury Update: 19-Year-Old Ruled Out of India's 1st Test Against Australia at Adelaide, Confirms BCCI

With Prithvi out of the first Test, it provides KL Rahul or Rohit Sharma to open the innings and thereby put up a good show. While Rahul has been struggling of-late Rohit has never opened in the longer format of the game. He has mostly played in the middle.

Hanuma Vihari is very much likely to take the middle-order spot at number six. So, for Rohit to play that leaves only opening spot. In the first innings of the warm-up game, Rahul while opening scored only three runs. In the same innings, Rohit, batting at seven, scored 40. Vihari, on the other hand, scored 53.  Virat Kohli Bowling Video: Watch Indian Captain Bowl a Couple of Overs During India vs Cricket Australia XI Practice Match at Adelaide.

India can think of gambling with Rohit as an opener given Rahul’s recent struggle with the bat. Also, there is an option of promoting Cheteshwar Pujara as an opener and fit in Rohit in the middle at five.

Young Prithvi’s injury has opened up a selection headache for India ahead of the first Test. And has left team management with a difficult decision to make. Rohit has been in good form and who knows he makes it count in the Test cricket as an opener and not as a middle-order batsman. So, it is better to try out Rohit ahead of Rahul.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 01, 2018 09:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).