Sydney Test: The 3 R dilemma of the new captain Virat

New Delhi: Newly crowned captain Virat Kohli will have a big question lurking in front of him when he leads Team India for the fourth and the last test against Australia in Sydney on January 6, Who to play - Rahul, Raina or Rohit?India has already lost the Border-Gavaskar Test series 0-2 after third test at Melbourne ended in a draw. Despite ‘the big loss', they can still play to salvage some reputation as at least on this tour they have so far resisted the hostile bowling attack led by Mitchell Johnson.Lokesh Rahul, 22 year-old Karnataka opener, was preferred over Rohit Sharma who failed to click with the bat in the first two test matches. However, in both the innings his stay at the wicket lasted for 28 balls, making three and one run.He came in the first inning, when India was in a very solid position (409/4) and there wasn't any apparent pressure on him but the fact is that this young lad was making his first appearance at international level that too against the likes of Johnson and Ryan Harris, so he had all the reasons to be nervous.One can even question his selection for the third test as India should have taken precautionary measures to sustain the rest of the series.He was included in the team as a reserve opener but made to bat at no-six and no-three position in two innings.It was strange to see him walking out in the second inning when opener Shikhar Dhawan perished after facing just five balls and scoreboard reading 1/2.After his dismissal, legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar commented that he failed to understand why a young batsman who was not impressive in the first inning, was sent at one down when there were Virat and Rahane, more accustomed to such situations who could have come and built the inning easily.Sir was right!Ideally Suresh Raina, a middle order batsman, should have been the natural and obvious replacement for Rohit Sharma for the crucial must-win test but management had different thoughts and it chose Rahul over him.Before Boxing Day test Dhoni had said that they needed a player like Raina who is not only a good batsman but also a handy bowler who can be used for 10-15 overs.24 hours later when team was announced, Raina was nowhere to be seen.Dhoni was generous with Rahul after the test saying, “He (Rahul) should not be judged by just two innings.”Now the question is that will Virat Kohli pay heed to the advice of his former captain and give Rahul another chance or go back to Rohit Sharma or will he try out Raina?Indeed, this could be the last chance for Raina who played his last test way back in 2012, to make a come back for which he is trying desperately ( He was seen knocking the ball at nets in Melboune for hours).All in all, with all probability, Virat won't disturb the opening pair and would rather concentrate on a player who could fit into slot six.