Pat Cummins makes call on axing Marnus Labuschagne as India handed big boost for second Test

Pat Cummins has called for calm and predicted there won't be any changes to Australia's side for the second cricket Test against India, despite growing calls for Marnus Labuschagne to be dropped. And India are set for a huge boost with captain Rohit Sharma to come back into the team.

Australia were humbled in a 295-run loss in the first Test in Perth, with Labuschagne continuing his shocking run of low scores with 2 and 3. The No.3 batter hasn't scored a Test ton in 18 months and is averaging just 24.5 this year and 34.9 in 2023.

The right-hander asserted himself as one of the best batters in Test cricket when he averaged 64.9 in the 2019 calendar year, 67.1 in 2020, 65.8 in 2021 and 56.3 in 2022. But he's suffered a staggering fall from grace in the last two years and the runs have completely dried up.

Many in the cricket world have called for him to be axed after his latest dismissal came in embarrassing fashion when he fell lbw to Jasprit Bumrah without playing a shot. But Cummins believes there won't be any changes made heading into the second Test in Adelaide, handing Labuschagne a reprieve for now.

"Marnus, along with quite a few guys in the team, didn't have the week that we would have wanted," Cummins admitted after Australia's humiliation was completed on Monday. "It's no secret how hard the batters, particularly Marnus, work in the nets, and he's always trying to find those small marginal gains.

"So this week there will be a lot of conversation with the coaches around maybe his approach and what he could be doing differently. We know he's a class player. Him at his best is one of the scariest propositions for opposition bowlers to bowl at."

Marnus Labuschagne has good record in day-night Tests

Crucially, the second Test will be a day-nighter, and Labuschagne has traditionally had success with the pink ball. The Queenslander averages 63.85 in eight day-night Tests, and Cummins is confident the bright lights of Adelaide will help Labuschagne find his form.

"He's got a very good pink ball record," Cummins said. "So I always think it's looking back at past successes when you were at your best is always a pretty good way to get yourself back on track. Four or five days ago we thought this was our best 11, so I dare say nothing - there won't be many changes going into Adelaide. But I'm not a selector."

However there are some concerns around Mitch Marsh after the all-rounder pulled up sore after bowling 17 overs in Perth. Marsh has been asked to carry more of the bowling load in the absence of Cameron Green, and Cummins said he's be put on ice heading into Adelaide.

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Rohit Sharma to return for second Test in Adelaide

Meanwhile, Australia's misery could continue in the second Test, with Rohit set to strengthen the Indian team even more. The captain missed the first Test to be in India with his wife while she gave birth, but is back in Australia and was spotted practicing with the pink ball in the nets in Perth.

Jasprit Bumrah was superb while deputising as captain, but is happy to hand back the reins. "He's the captain of our side, and he's done a phenomenal job," Bumrah said of Rohit. "I was filling in for him so I still had discussions when he was in India, discussing how we are shaping up. I'm going to help him in whatever capacity I can."

Rohit will slot back in as opener alongside whiz kid Yashasvi Jaiswal, while KL Rahul will likely move down the order rather than being dropped. Jaiswal made a superb 161 in the second innings in Perth, while Rahul made 26 and 77.

with AAP