KL Rahul drops massive hint on playing XI ahead of first India vs Australia Test; 'There is the temptation'

India's Test vice-captain KL Rahul feels it's never easy to predict nature of a track but re is a "temptation" to play three spinners in first Test against Australia, beginning here on Thursday.

With less than 48 hours left for Border Gavaskar Trophy to begin, Rahul didn’t provide any definitive answers about three key slots in team -- wicketkeeper, third spinner and number five in batting order.

Asked if Shubman Gill will bat in middle-order, Rahul said: “We still haven’t decided on final XI. It’s going to be a tough decision to make. re are guys who have performed exceedingly well and re are a few spots open so re are a few discussions going on and players are being spoken to."

VCA track is expected to assist spinners from day one itself but Rahul doesn’t want to be a soothsayer when it comes to reading 22-yard strip. “Yes, we did see it ( pitch), but it’s still too early to really kw what pitch is going to do. We need to come here on day of match to kw how it’s really going to play," he told reporters.

"We can only look at it and assume it’s going to play a certain way, but you never kw with pitches. Yes, re is temptation to play three spinners because we’re playing in India. We’ll take that call on day of game or day before game,” stylish right-hander said.

With skipper Rohit Sharma back in mix, Rahul was asked if he would like to bat in middle-order where he had started his Test career back in 2014.

“If it arises, n I’m more than happy to do that. Whatever little cricket I’ve played for country, I’ve always done that.

“Whatever team has asked me to do, I try and prepare that way and try and do my best for team, and if that is something that team wants me to do here, I’ll be more than happy to do it,” Rahul said, although it is unlikely that he would come down order.

So does he find it unique that re is straightforward choice for picking playing eleven this time around? “I don’t kw if it has happened before but, yes, this time is is going to be tough. Tough decision to select an eleven. All 15 guys in side are top quality, and that’s why y’re here. Anyone of m on any given day can be a match winner...

" playing XI, we always try and make a decision based on what’s best for team and for that particular Test match. We have done that over last two years," that was his response to a PTI query.

Rahul didn’t forget to remind media that he is still pretty sour about backlash that he got for dropping Kuldeep Yadav for second Test against Bangladesh after his match-winning performance in series opener.

“re have been questions about why a certain player has played… even in Bangladesh, I remember, Kuldeep (Yadav) got man of match and did t play next Test.

“Obviously, only reason, or only thinking, behind such decisions is which player fits role for that particular condition.

“You said, I have played for 10 years, but even if I have played for 20-30 years, and even after retirement, re is body who can look at pitch and say accurately that ‘this is how it is going to play’.

"It’s really based on some experience and a little bit of history of that place. Even in this series, that’s something we will continue to do,” he said.

Wher it is Suryakumar Yadav or Kuldeep Yadav, whoever gets dropped needs to take that on chin.

“Everyone is very clear about why y’re playing, why y aren’t playing, ir roles in team. That’s a good thing, and atmosphere in team is very good.”

Reverse swing will play a huge role

Rahul feels with quality in Australian bowling line-up, reverse swing in dry and abrasive conditions can play a huge role.

“It always plays a huge role in India. We have seen that historically as well. Any team that has quality fast bowlers who can exploit reverse swing will be dangerous on pitches like se. That’s something that we have tried to prepare for over last week, 10 days. “We all kw Australian team has always produced high-quality fast bowlers, and we kw threat y can pose. That's beauty of playing against Australia, that’s what excites you and something we are kicked about.” With David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Alex Carey and Matt Renshaw in mix, southpaw heavy Aussie line-up may just given an advant to home team.

“I think it will help our bowlers a little bit. If re are two left-handers toger, and left-handers are coming in to bat, back-to-back, that will only mean that bowlers get time to settle into a certain line and length.

“That also is a very unique thing. I don’t think any or team has that many left-handers..."