New Delhi: After missing the 1st Test against Australia due to the birth of his son, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma made his return to competitive cricket in India’s practice match against Australia Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra on Sunday. Rohit surprisingly came out to bat at no.4 in the warm-up game to keep the opening pair of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal intact at the top after their stellar show in India’s dominant 295-run win in the series opener in Perth.
While Rohit is certain to take over captaincy from Jasprit Bumrah, there are question marks over his batting position in the 2nd Test in Adelaide. Rahul and Jaiswal’s record 201-run opening stand against Australia in the Perth Test has increased the Indian team management’s headache as far as Rohit’s natural opening slot is concerned.
Rohit walking out to bat at no.4 in the warm-up match in Canberra could have been a hint of India’s plans ahead of the Adelaide Test. Though the Hitman flopped at no.4 on his return, he has a decent record for India while batting in the middle order in Tests. Rohit might have to slot into the middle order to ensure India can continue with the in-form pair of Rahul and Jaiswal at the top in the 2nd Test.
3 reasons why Rohit Sharma should not open in Adelaide Test against Australia:
1) Why disrupt winning combination
KL Rahul stepped up in the absence of Rohit Sharma in the 1st Test in Perth and delivered for India under pressure. Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal shared a 201-run stand for the first wicket, the highest-ever opening stand by an Indian pair in Tests on Australian soil. While Jaiswal played a stunning knock of 161 runs in Perth, Rahul scored a brilliant 77 to complement the swashbuckling left-hander.
Rahul looked composed against the new ball and showcased grit and patience as he did exceptionally well against the quality Aussie pace attack. The Indian team management might not want to disrupt the winning combination at the top after the record partnership between the two openers in the Perth Test. Rahul and Jaiswal also did well together in the practice match against Australia Prime Minister’s XI with a 75-run opening stand.
2) Rohit Sharma’s recent form
Rohit has been one of the world’s best openers across all formats over the last few years. However, his form has dipped massively in Test cricket recently. Rohit has struggled for consistency and has failed to notch up big scores for India in the longest format of late. The Indian skipper has managed only 91 runs in his last six Test innings, including a solitary half-century.
Rohit will head into the 2nd Test against Australia in Adelaide without much match practice behind his back and might get exposed against the new pink ball as an opener. Amid his struggles, India should continue backing Rahul at the top to ensure they get strong starts which will be crucial to their chances of winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
3) Rohit can strengthen India’s middle-order
Rohit’s inclusion in the middle-order can be a blessing in disguise for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. India’s middle order currently lacks experience with both Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara not in the side. Rohit’s addition can significantly strengthen India’s middle order adding much-needed experience to it.
Rohit averages 54.57 while batting at no.6 in Tests for India with an impressive 1037 in 16 matches, including three centuries and 6 half centuries to his name. In Australia, the Hitman has scored 279 runs at an average of 31 while batting in the middle order in Tests. He last played in the middle order for India in Tests in 2018 and will be hoping to find his old self if he is asked to do the same in the Adelaide Test.
Team India skipper Rohit Sharma came out to bat at no.4 in the practice match against Australia Prime Minister’s XI and should continue at the same position in the 2nd Test against Australia in Adelaide. Here is a look at three reasons why KL Rahul should pair up with Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top for India. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
