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Rohit Sharma struggled to make an impact in the Adelaide Test, scoring just 9 runs across both innings while batting at No. 6
IND vs AUS, 2nd Test: Rohit Sharma after being dismissed (AP)
Former spinner Harbhajan Singh feels Rohit Sharma should continue to bat at No. 6 in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at The Gabba in Brisbane.
Rohit, who missed the first Test of the series in Perth due to the birth of his second child, only scored 3 and 6 in the pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval. The 37-year-old’s form in Test cricket has been a topic of debate since India’s historic 0-3 home loss to New Zealand last month. In that series too, Rohit was not anywhere near to his peak performance in the red-ball format as he only accumulated 91 runs across six innings including 52 in the second innings of Bengaluru Test.
However, Harbhajan feels there is no need to send the skipper up in the batting order, keeping in mind his form.
“I don’t think there will be any change in the batting order. We discussed yesterday that maybe Rohit Sharma should move up the order. Even (Sunil) Gavaskar sahab suggested it, but I don’t think the team management will think that way. Rohit is not in great form right now, so why would you send him up the order? I feel KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal should continue to open, with Rohit batting in the middle order,” Harbhajan was quoted as saying on Star Sports.
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While advocating for continuity in the batting lineup, Harbhajan predicted changes in India’s bowling attack. He suggested the inclusion of Washington Sundar, who impressed in Perth with his all-round abilities, in place of Ravichandran Ashwin.
“Washington Sundar might come back for the Brisbane Test. Ashwin didn’t bowl much in Adelaide and didn’t have a major impact. Sundar, on the other hand, offers more with the bat and performed well in Perth, picking up two crucial wickets. I think he’ll get the nod,” Harbhajan said.
Additionally, he called for a change in the pace department. Harshit Rana, who struggled in Adelaide, could make way for Prasidh Krishna. “Prasidh Krishna can be quite handy on the bouncy Brisbane wicket. His height and ability to extract bounce make him a strong candidate to replace Harshit Rana,” he added.
(With inputs from Agencies)
