IND vs AUS: KL Rahul's future role with Team India before WC evidently clear in 1st ODI

IND vs AUS: Indian wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul has been in very bad form in international cricket of late which also resulted in him to cost his place in third and fourth Test. KL Rahul w has been included in Team India's playing XI as a wicketkeeper against Australia in 1st ODI in Mumbai. 

Ahead of ODI World Cup 2023, it seems very clear that KL Rahul will play for Team India as a wicketkeeper rar than as an opening batsman. Rahul has performed well in white ball format off late and has been scoring runs while batting down order. 

KL Rahul to play as wicketkeeper-batsman in Indian Team

In Rishabh Pant's absence, Team India might pick up KL Rahul as a wicketkeeper-batsman in 2023 ODI World Cup with Ishan Kishan as or alternate option. 

Rahul was Team India's vice-captain in first two Tests against Australia for Border-Gavaskar Trophy but due to his failure in both Tests he was dropped from team and also his position. 

If we get back to first ODI match between India and Australia so it was Indian captain Hardik Pandya who won toss at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. 

Australia didn't have a good start to match as batting first y lost opener Travis Head for 5. main focus w will be on captain Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne as y will have responsibility to take ir team to a good first innings score. 

Indian team is also playing without captain Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya will w have an extra responsibility under his hands.  eyes will also be on Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shubman Gill. Indian team will be missing Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant who are out of team due to injuries. 

India vs Australia 1st ODI: Playing XI 

India: Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan(w), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya(c), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami

Australia: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith(c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis(w), Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa