Former India National Cricket Team batting coach Sanjay Bangar has offered a crucial suggestion to the Gautam Gambhir-led Indian team management regarding the batting position of skipper Rohit Sharma in Test cricket.
Sanjay Bangar suggested that the team management can promote Rohit Sharma back to the top order – this time at the No.3 spot, which is currently occupied by the future superstar Shubman Gill.
Rohit Sharma having a horror run in BGT
India skipper Rohit Sharma missed the Test series opener of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 to spend some time with his wife after the birth of their second child.
India didn’t miss the services of Rohit in the first game and won the match quite comfortably under Jasprit Bumrah. Rohit Sharma returned to the team in the second game and they lost the match in Adelaide.
After that, the third Test match in Brisbane ended in a draw, mainly due to rain playing spoilsport. The batting form of Rohit Sharma has been absolutely awful in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, as he has scored fewer runs than Jasprit Bumrah.
While batting at his new position, No.6, after sacrificing the opening spot for KL Rahul, Rohit has registered scores of 3, 6, and 10, making it a total of 19 runs at an average of 6.33.
One, can he come to bat at No. 3 because if we have to strengthen our bowling a little – Sanjay Bangar
Sanjay Bangar, meanwhile, has said that the batting position of Rohit could be changed if India want to strengthen their bowling unit and suggested the skipper to spend some time in the middle to regain form.
“That is a mantra for any batter. I feel he can do two things. One, can he come to bat at No. 3 because if we have to strengthen our bowling a little and add a little sharpness, he can definitely change his number,” Bangar told Star Sports.
Bangar also noted that Rohit is getting a little late while facing pacers, which has been a huge concern.
“Apart from that, prepare yourself a little early. It seems like he is getting slightly late and he is also getting late because we saw his bat not going forward for his favorite pull shot. He generally doesn’t miss the pull shot. It’s a signal for every batter whether he is playing his best shot or not,” he observed.
If he stabilizes a little early, he will get a little time to take his foot forward – Sanjay Bangar
While offering a solution to the problem faced by Rohit, the former India batting coach stated that the Indian skipper needs to ‘stabilize a little early’ and it will give him some extra time to play shots.
“If he stabilizes a little early, he will get a little time to take his foot forward, and then he can play his good shots. The Australians have bowled him short balls but he has missed many of them. Rohit Sharma needs two or three shots where he can get his rhythm and get a feel,” he said.
“Batting is a game of feel. If you feel your legs are moving properly and you are able to play your shots, suddenly you feel your lost confidence coming back. It can come in the middle of an innings as well. It’s not necessary that it has to come in the nets,” Bangar concluded.