The pink ball practice match vs PM XI marked the return of captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Shubman Gill to the squad, both of whom had missed the Perth Test. While Rohit Sharma‘s performance with the bat in the warm-up game wasn’t remarkable, his decision to give up the opening spot to KL Rahul sparked significant discussion among fans and experts.
Notably, Rohit Sharma had to miss the first Test in Perth to be with his family for the birth of his second child. In his absence, the Indian team management opted to open the innings with Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The move worked brilliantly, as Rahul displayed excellent form, contributing valuable runs in both innings.
Rohit Sharma sacrifices the opening role for KL Rahul
In the absence of captain Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal have done a commendable job in the first Test against Australia in Perth. The duo stitched an opening partnership of 201 runs in the second innings, putting the hosts under immense pressure as they eventually lost by 295 runs. That, however, has led to a series of discussions about Rohit Sharma’s batting position in the second Test in Adelaide.
When Rohit rejoined the squad, speculation grew about how the team would manage the top-order positions. Instead of reclaiming his spot as an opener during the warm-up game, Rohit allowed Rahul to continue in the role alongside Yashasvi. This decision gave fans and analysts a glimpse into the team’s likely batting order for the Adelaide Test, suggesting that Rohit might consider a middle-order role.
Since Rahul and Jaiswal’s partnership worked wonders in the first Test, the team management may not want to alter that. However, it would complicate Rohit Sharma’s position, who has done a brilliant job at the top of the order. Meanwhile, the practice match against Prime Minister’s XI gave a hint of what the team management is contemplating as Rahul and Jaiswal opened in that game while Rohit Sharma batted at number four.
There are reports that the captain can feature at five in the Adelaide Test, given that Jaiswal, Rahul, Shubman Gill and Kohli will fill the first four spots. It would push Rishabh Pant to six and any of the spinners can fill the gap at number seven.
However, former cricketer Harbhajan Singh does not believe that Rohit Sharma will be batting in the middle-order. He expects the 37-year-old to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal or play at number three. The off-spinner added that Rohit Sharma batting in the middle order won’t be in the best interest of the team and highlighted that a player such as him should be batting at the top.
Harbhajan Singh picks the ideal batting position of captain Rohit Sharma for the Pink Ball 2nd Test
The decision to alter the batting order, particularly with a player of Rohit’s caliber, has sparked debates within the cricketing fraternity. Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh recently offered his thoughts on the matter, emphasizing that Rohit Sharma should bat higher in the order, ideally as an opener or at number three.
Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh believes No.6 will be too low a batting position for the returning Rohit Sharma in the second Australia Test. The day-night Test will be played in Adelaide, starting on December 6. Rohit Sharma missed the series opener at Perth due to the birth of his second child, forcing India to promote KL Rahul to open the batting with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Yet, the duo overcame a five-run opening stand in the first innings with India’s first-ever 200-run opening partnership in a Test down under in the second innings. Their brilliant 201-run partnership helped India set Australia a daunting target of 534 and eventually complete a massive 295-run victory.
Rohit Sharma and Jaiswal have formed a formidable opening partnership in Tests over the past year. However, Rahul’s sensational outing at the top has left India with a conundrum for the second Test
Speaking to the PTI in the build-up to the contest, Harbhajan felt Rohit should bat no lower than No. 3.
“I don’t see Rohit coming in at number five or six. Either Rohit will open with Yashasvi Jaiswal, with KL Rahul coming in at number three, or he will bat no later than number three. Number six for Rohit wouldn’t be in best interest of the team. Your top four in batting order should be the four pillars and someone like Rohit at the top would only add greater fillip,” he said.
Rohit Sharma has opened the batting for India in 42 out of his 64 Tests, with his last non-opening stint coming ironically in Australia in 2018. Notably, Rohit has scored 1037 runs in 16 matches at an average of 54.5 while batting at No. 6 in Test cricket. He also three hundreds and six fifties while batting at that position.