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India Test captain Rohit Sharma has been battling poor form in the ongoing tour of Australia.
Will Rohit Sharma return to open in Boxing Day Test? (AP Photo)
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has advised Rohit Sharma to back his natural instincts as the star Indian batter is struggling to score runs in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Rohit hasn’t been able to make any significant contribution in India’s ongoing tour of Australia, having managed just 19 runs in three innings at a poor average of 6.33.
Clarke cited the example of Aaron Finch as he compared his former Australia teammate with Rohit, calling them “X-factor players”.
“Finch is a good example. He will tell you, batting in Test cricket where the ball is moving, when you are a player who has dominated short-format cricket, it’s hard when your confidence drops,” Clarke said on ESPN Australia.
“I remember having conversations with Finchy, I’d rather have him go out and back himself from ball one. Sometimes, it doesn’t look great, but that’s the way these boys play. They are X-factor players, match-winners. Rohit is such an important player in the Indian team,” Clarke added.
Clarke says despite the form, Rohit remains an important part of the Indian cricket team. “You never pick just based on form. He’s (Rohit) captain of the team, I’m definitely picking him. Rohit hasn’t started here, he took some time to get back into it. He wants some runs, and he’s an exceptional player,” Clarke said.
Rohit missed the first Test of the Australia tour in Perth and on his return in the second Test, batted in the middle order as KL Rahul, who filled in as opener in the captain’s absence, scored a half-century to keep the spot.
Rohit managed 9 runs in the second Test and was out for 10 in Brisbane.
There have been suggestions that Rohit should open to regain his form but Clarke disagrees.
“He (Rohit) plays in middle-order because he thinks it’s best for the team. I won’t make any changes. KL Rahul is doing a great job at the top, I understand that. I don’t think it matters what format he plays; when he’s confident and backing himself, playing with aggressive intent, that’s where he is at his best,” Clarke said.
