The long walk back to the pavilion had appeared even longer and to an extent, painful, for KL Rahul after his disappointing show in the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand last month.

For some, it was time to “dump Rahul” and give a younger Sarfaraz Khan permanent precedence, especially after the latter’s under-pressure second-innings hundred at the Chinnaswamy.

The Indian team management preferred Sarfaraz over Rahul for the next two Tests. The Mumbai youngster then made a hash of his strong footing, aggregating only 21 in spin-friendly conditions in Pune and Mumbai.

Regular captain Rohit Sharma’s unavailability in Perth and Shubman Gill’s indisposition before the series opener against Australia meant Rahul would be back in the XI for the first Test despite his poor show for India A versus Australia A.

But just when it mattered, the 32-year-old once again proved why he’s more reliable than most when it comes to overseas Tests.

With a bit of fortune, the decision could well have gone his way in the first innings in Perth, when his stay was cut short on 26 on a surface that was quite difficult for batters on Day I. The next day, though, Rahul scored 77 in an almost game-deciding 201-run opening stand with centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Very few Indian batsmen have had more Test centuries abroad than at home. Rahul has only eight centuries in his 54-Test career so far, but seven of them have come away from home, something his backers dedicatedly point out before an overseas tour.

And, Rahul continues to prove them right.

Yes, conditions at the Perth Stadium were much better for batting from Day II, while the Australian bowling looked flat as well. India,
bolstered by Jasprit Bumrah, had also gained a psychological advantage with their 46-run first-innings lead. However,
in spite of the favourable
circumstances, it’s not too easy for a batsman short of runs to just go out there and express himself.

“Although Rahul has got runs and centuries as an opener in Test cricket, he’s keener to bat in the middle order. For the sake of the team, like when a key batter is injured, he has had to move up to the top (of the order).

“At the same time, he has been hit by injuries on several occasions earlier, which dented his scope of cementing his place in the side,” a BCCI official told The Telegraph on Tuesday.

Regardless of the conditions in Perth last Saturday, the solidity in Rahul’s defence during his 295-minute stay at the crease was reminiscent of what was on show from the senior batsman in 2021. Especially, during his innings of 84 and 129 braving James Anderson in overcast conditions at Nottingham and Lord’s, as well as his 123 later that year in Centurion. While his judgement in leaving deliveries outside off-stump was as good as perfect in Perth, Rahul seemed fully assured before committing to play some quality off-drives against the Australian quicks.

“Guys like Rahul train, keeping the specifics in mind. If an overseas tour lies
ahead where he will have to encounter seam-friendly conditions, he will ask for a grassy pitch and prepare accordingly at the nets.

“To tackle opposition spinners, he will look forward to facing mainly spinners at practice. Before this year’s Duleep Trophy also, he went about with the same mode of preparation,” the Board official said.

If these aren’t all, his guidance as a senior to Jaiswal also played a crucial role in helping the young left-hander register his second Test century outside India. Often the steady Rahul went over to Jaiswal and spoke to him, particularly when the latter played and missed a few to appear a tad edgy in his 90s.

The composure Rahul showed in both innings also suggests how well-placed he is in terms of mindset. A fresh IPL contract — roped in by Delhi Capitals at the auction in Jeddah — also may have contributed to his healthier state of mind.

Slot in Adelaide

India’s batting order for the second Test in Adelaide, a pink-ball day-night game beginning on December 6, will be strengthened by Rohit’s arrival, while Gill is also expected to be fit and return to the XI.

Assuming Rahul will retain his place in the XI at the Adelaide Oval unless he sustains a niggle or injury all of a sudden, where does he bat then? Team combination-
wise, Rohit and Gill can be straightaway replacements for Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal (who batted at No.3 in Perth).

Rohit’s inclusion means he will open the batting alongside Jaiswal. Having said so,
how prudent would it be to again push Rahul back in the middle order and make him re-adjust?

Will it be unwise on India’s part to let Rahul continue as an opener and slot Rohit, who hasn’t been among runs lately in Tests, in the middle order? The middle order isn’t a completely unknown territory for Rohit, as he has batted there in the early part of his Test career.

But then, the twilight period is a critical factor in these day-night Tests. And to counter it, India do need someone with a decent technique to at least hold one end up. Thus, slotting Rahul at either Nos.5 or 6 won’t entirely be a bad idea.