Can Lokesh Rahul gets his maiden Test cap in Oz?

New Delhi: In the first two Tests that India lost against Australia in the four match series, one thing which remained constant was the below par performance of Indian lower middle order, especially in the second innings.

And one batsman who literally threw away his wicket on both the occasions was Rohit Sharma. The temperament required to play Test cricket was certainly missing in the Mumbaikar's game.

Time when players like Lokesh Rahul, Suresh Raina, Wriddhiman Saha were warming the bench, the 26-year-old missed golden opportunities to cement his place in the team.

He looked totally off-colour and came out as the biggest disappointment in the series this far. Rohit's position is certainly in danger for the Boxing Day Test, scheduled to take place at MCG. But still, there is a big question mark over who will replace him.

Saha managed to play the first Test in the absence of skipper MS Dhoni, but couldn't impress with the willow.

Raina has got a fair amount of chances in the past to perform in Tests, but on most of the occasions he flopped. Specially, Australia's prime bower, Mitchell Johnson, gave him a torrid time in the past by bowling short pitched stuff.

So while going into the third Test, Rahul is the safest bet for MS Dhoni. The young lad from Karnataka, has performed immensely well in domestic cricket.

In 2013-14 season, the elegant right-handed batsman piled up 1033 runs and played a crucial role in making Karnataka's Ranji Trophy team victorious. Former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid too praised the the 22-year-old and thinks that he has the caliber to play for India.

So chances are there that Rahul might get his maiden Test cap in the on-going series.