Opening woes before Australia tour

Dhruv Jurel's fighting 80 added some semblance of respect to India A's first innings at the MCG on Thursday but the bigger question of who will partner Yashasvi Jaiswal at Perth should Rohit Sharma be unavailable for the first Test is yet to be abundantly addressed. The numbers so far are not inspiring as well.

- Somshuvra Laha

In the first game at McKay, Abhimanyu Easwaran scored 7 and 12 while Ruturaj Gaikwad made 0 and 5. At the MCG on Thursday, Easwaran scored 0 while KL Rahul made 4.

The idea is understandableIndia are trying permutations and combinations to find the best possible option. Easwaran was supposed to be the top pick.

But sending Rahul to partner him sends a message that the management is keen on accommodating him for the Test series.

Which makes some sense because Rahul had scored a hundred during the 2014 tour. But to make him open could be too big a gamble, that too at a venue like Perth. His dismissal on Thursday-edging a short of length delivery from Scott Boland that pitched and seamed awaydoesn't wish away the feeling too. Rahul had earlier caressed a boundary but that seemed an aberration in a very forgettable morning for India A.

Further compounding India's worries is Easwaran's returns.