'Unsettling return for middle-order as Australia great taunts Rohit Sharma with 'Good night', echoing the India captain's struggles'

India captain Rohit Sharma's return to the middle-order after six years got off to a rocky start, with Scott Boland dismissing him for just 3 runs in 23 balls. In the third over of the first session, Boland delivered a sharp ball that caught Rohit off guard, leaving him rooted to the crease with minimal front foot movement. Despite a discussion with partner Rishabh Pant, Rohit chose not to pursue a DRS, as the impact was deemed umpire's call. It was a disappointing start for the Indian captain, who will be looking to bounce back in the next innings.

Rohit, who missed the first Test in Perth due to the birth of his second child, made a bold move by sacrificing his opening spot to the in-form KL Rahul. He said it was for the team. The move was welcomed by fans and experts alike as many believed that having Rohit and Pant in the middle-order would add more depth to the Indian batting unit. It may still be if Rohit continues with this experiment but the start hasn't been good at all.

Former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist pointed out flaws in Rohit's footwork but not without a slight jab at the Indian captain. "Hazlewood was Australia's best bowler in Perth but having Boland playing here as his replacement is not bad. Boland is tall, but you wonder if the ball would have hit the stump if it had been Hazlewood. Boland has the ability to skid the ball through. It did so here. Rohit Sharmna's front foot was stuck and that's a good night," Gilchrist said on commentary.

It was Boland's second wicket of the day after dismissing Shubamn Gill right at the stroke of the first session.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, who hit a century in the first Test, was out for a duck in the first ball of the match, while his opening partner KL Rahul was dismissed for 37.Star batter Virat Kohli, who had also hit a century in the Perth Test, was out for just 7 from eight balls, while Shubman Gill was dismissed for 31 off the bowling of Scott Boland just before the break.

Starc was the wrecker-in-chief for Australia as he took three Indian wickets for 31 runs.

Earlier, India made three changes with captain Rohit Sharma, Gill and Ravichandran Ashwin returning to the playing XI after missing the first Test. Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel and Washington Sundar made way for them.