Rohit Sharma set to return as opener in Brisbane; KL Rahul likely to find place in middle-order in IND vs AUS 3rd Test
In the last 12 Test innings, Rohit Sharma managed single digit scores eight times, crossed 20 twice and scored a half-century just once.
India captain Rohit Sharma is set to return as an opener in the third Test against Australia, which starts in Brisbane on December 14. Having missed the first Test in Perth due to the birth of his baby boy, Ayaan, Rohit returned to the side in Adelaide, but not in his usual position as an opener but in the middle-order, at No.6.
Instead, he kept faith in the successful pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, who ruled the roost in India's 295-run victory in the first Test. The move in the second Test didn't materialise as Rohit, Rahul and Jaiswal failed. It was also the first time since 2018 that Rohit batted at No.6.
With the series locked at 1-1 and the World Test Championship (WTC) final spot at stake, Rohit Sharma was spotted facing the new ball at the nets, indicating the right-hander will come back at the top along with Jaiswal.
Based on several media reports, the out-of-form Rohit faced the new ball against the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj, clearly indicating that he is going to come up the order. Notably, the Indian captain had not faced the Indian pacers with the new ball in ahead of the day-night Test match in Adelaide.
In such a scenario, Rahul will come down the order, potentially at no.5. With Rohit and Jaiswal opening the innings, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli are slated to bat at no.3 and 4 slots. Rahul will come next, followed by Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy at No.6 and 7, respectively.
Going by the statistics, Rohit hadn't gone past 20 more than twice in his last 12 Test innings, with eight single-digit scores and just one half-century.
Why Rohit Sharma should return to the top?
According to Sunil Gavaskar, India need Rohit back at the top as it would help him and the team score quick runs. “He should return to his regular spot. We should remember why Rahul had opened. He did that because Rohit Sharma was not available for the first Test,” Gavaskar said.
“Now I can understand why they kept him as an opener in the second Test, he had a 200-plus partnership with Jaiswal. But now that he couldn't score in this Test, I feel Rahul should go back to No. 5 or No.6 and Rohit Sharma should open. If Rohit scores quickly in the beginning, then he can score a big century also later,” he added.
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Business NewsSportsCricket NewsRohit Sharma set to return as opener in Brisbane; KL Rahul likely to find place in middle-order in IND vs AUS 3rd Test
First Published:12 Dec 2024, 02:03 PM IST
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