India’s vice-captain in Tests, KL Rahul on Tuesday dropped a massive hint on India’s opening combination for the first Test against Australia in Nagpur. Rahul said that he has got no problems in regard to his batting position and is ready to bat anywhere. The 30-year-old said that if he is required to give up his usual batting slot i.e. opening and is asked to bat in the middle order, he will be more than happy to do it. 

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As Rahul was sent to attend the pre-series press conference, the Indian vice-captain answered all questions about India’s playing XI as well as the team’s strategy in this series. When he was asked about the empty slots in the middle order due to Rishabh Pant’s and Shreyas Iyer’s absence and if he can bat in one of those positions, Rahul said he is ready to do it. 

“If the team wants me to bat in the middle, I am ready to do it,” said Rahul to the reporters.  "If the need arises, then I'm more than happy to do that. Whatever little cricket I've played for  the country, I've always done that.

"Whatever the team has asked me to do, I try and prepare that way and try and do my  best for the team, and if that is something that the team wants me to do here, I'll be  more than happy to do it," Rahul said

Notably, if Rahul bats in the middle order, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will be the openers for India.

There is temptation to play three spinners: Rahul 

The India vice-captain also talked about India’s bowling combination for the first Test in Nagpur. Rahul said that there is a temptation to include three spinners in the playing XI but a final call will be taken on the matchday morning, after looking at the surface. 

“There will be a temptation to play three spinners because of the turning track in India but we would know the pitch on the day of the game," Rahul said during a media interaction in Nagpur on Tuesday.

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Rahul also accepted that it is a must-win series for India as they eye a spot in the World Test Championship Final. “(It’s) a must win series, When it is India vs Australia it always is. It’s no different than any other Border-Gavaskar series, eyes are on WTC as well," he said.