Former India National Cricket Team head coach Ravi Shastri has said that the skipper Rohit Sharma should be demoted in the batting order in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Ravi Shastri opined that Rohit Sharma is an experienced campaigner and he can bat very well for Team India in Test cricket in the middle-order.
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Where will Rohit Sharma bat in the second Test against Australia?
Rohit Sharma missed the Perth Test against Australia to stay with his wife after the birth of their second child. However, he is set to return to the playing XI in the pink-ball Test match in Adelaide.
In Rohit Sharma’s absence, KL Rahul partnered Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top and the duo did a great job. After failing in the first innings, Rahul and Jaiswal showcased a batting masterclass in the second innings.
They built a 201-run stand in 383 balls, with Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring 161 runs off 297 balls and Rahul registering 77 runs off 176 balls.
In the pink-ball tour game against Australia’s Prime Minister’s XI, Jaiswal (45) along with Rahul (27) opened for India and added 75 runs together. In that match, Rohit Sharma was listed as the No.5 batter in the team sheet behind KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli.
Rohit not being named as an opener was a hint that he might not continue as an opener in Test cricket. Also, he came to bat at No.4 against Prime Minister’s XI and managed to register just 3 runs off 11 balls.
He’s very experienced. You need that experience in the middle order – Ravi Shastri
Speaking on the ICC Review, Shastri said that Rohit should return to middle-order and labeled it as a fantastic boost for the Indian team. He said:
“It’s a fantastic boost because there’s no doubting his quality. He’s very experienced. You need that experience in the middle order.”
Notably, Rohit Sharma started as the middle-order batter in Tests, before taking over the role as an opener. In 41 innings at No.5 or lower, he has scored 1,474 runs at an average of 43.35, including nine half-centuries and three centuries.
Shastri added that Rohit himself has to make a decision on his batting position keeping in mind the team’s needs. He said:
“It’s the right mix of experience and youth in the setup, so whether he opens the batting or goes in the middle order, the choice is his.
“He’s experienced enough to see where he’s most dangerous when it comes to Australia. Where would Australia not like to see him? That’s the position he should choose. And he’s the leader of the pack, so he can afford to do that.”
I think he (Rahul) should carry on (opening) because… – Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri further said that KL Rahul should be allowed to continue as an opener because he has been playing well, and Rohit doesn’t have game time in his bag in Australian conditions. He said that the No.5 or No.6 position would be perfect for the Indian skipper.
“I think he (Rahul) should carry on (opening) because Rohit has not had much time since he’s come here (Australia),” Ravi Shastri said.
“Very quickly he had to play that Prime Minister’s XI game. But I would say carry on with the same setup. He [Rohit] can bat at five or six.”