Former Australian Cricketer Michael Clarke feels that Indian Skipper Rohit Sharma should bat at No. 5 in the second BGT 2024-25 test, which will begin in Adelaide on Friday, December 6. Jasprit Bumrah led Team India in Rohit Sharma‘s absence and led the team to a huge victory of 295 runs in Perth.
While India did well in the Perth Test without their key players, Rohit and Shubman Gill, the return of the duo for the Adelaide Test could create some challenges for the Indian team management. KL Rahul, who replaced Rohit at the top, looked assured from the first ball and was India’s most assured batsman against the moving ball, scoring 26 and 77 in the two innings.
“I can understand if Rohit Sharma does bat five, now that KL Rahul looked good in the first Test“- Michael Clarke
Along with Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul put on a solid 201-run partnership for the first wicket the highest ever by an Indian pair in Australia in the second innings, helping India post a score of 487/6. This has sparked debates on whether Rohit should give up his usual opening role to bring more stability to the batting lineup. Michael Clarke shared his thoughts on this topic during the Around the Wicket podcast. He said,
“I think he will bat at No. 5 in the Test match. They’ll leave KL Rahul up at the top. Shubman Gill looks fit as well; he made some runs, so he will come back in at No. 3. Virat 4, and I think the skipper will bat 5. If he wants to open, he opens; if he wants to bat 5, he’ll bat five. He is extremely aggressive, takes on the short ball, dominates spin bowling, and will look to be ultra-aggressive to Nathan Lyon through the middle of the innings”
“So yeah, if he chooses to bat 5, I can see why It’s his role to work out what’s best for the team and go with that. In Australian conditions, I can understand if he does bat five, now that KL Rahul looked good in the first Test,” Clarke added.
Rohit Sharma has always batted at the top of the order in Tests since the 2018-19 Australian tour. However, the Right-hander started his career as a middle-order batter and averages 29.13 and 54.57 at 5 and 6 respectively.
“Team India looks a lot better with Rohit Sharma at 5“- Aaron Finch
Another former Australian captain, Aaron Finch, agreed with Michael Clarke and suggested that Rohit Sharma batting at No. 5 would make India a more formidable side. Although Rohit has an excellent overall record, his recent form in Tests has been poor, with an average of less than 16 in India’s latest three-match home series against New Zealand.
“If he (Rohit) bats at five, with the ball getting a little bit softer, it can be hard to score. But India are so aggressive through that middle order. It will be a fascinating watch because that team looks a lot better with Rohit at 5, in my opinion. KL Rahul looked the best of the Indian batters in really difficult conditions, particularly in the first innings, so they’ll leave him at the top,” said Aaron Finch on the Around the Wicket podcast.
With Shubman Gill set to bat at No. 3, a position he has established himself in the recent past, and Virat Kohli at No. 4, Rohit’s best option, if not opening, will likely be at No. 5 or 6. Rohit has batted at No. 6 in eight Test innings in Australia, but his average there stands at a disappointing 28.14.