Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has weighed in on Rohit Sharma’s batting position ahead of the crucial Adelaide Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Shastri believes Rohit’s return to the Indian lineup is a significant boost for the team but suggests the captain should take up a middle-order role to address the team’s immediate needs.
Shastri Advocates a Middle-Order Role for Rohit
Speaking on the ICC Review, Shastri emphasized the importance of Rohit Sharma’s experience in the middle order:
- “Rohit’s quality is unquestionable. His experience is invaluable, and the middle order needs it most right now. This could be the key to India’s success,” Shastri said.
- He added, “Rohit is experienced enough to understand where Australia wouldn’t want to see him bat. That’s where he should position himself. As the leader, he can take such a calculated risk.”
Shastri’s suggestion aligns with the current form of India’s top-order players, especially after KL Rahul’s stellar performance in the Perth Test and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s promising displays in practice sessions.
India’s Likely Batting Lineup for Adelaide
The Indian team management is likely to open with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who have shown good synergy in the nets and practice matches. This pushes Rohit to a potential No. 5 or No. 6 slot in the batting order. The middle-order lineup could see:
- Shubman Gill at No. 3
- Virat Kohli at No. 4
- Rohit Sharma taking the critical No. 5 or No. 6 position
This configuration ensures a blend of stability and aggression in the batting lineup, maximizing India’s chances against a strong Australian bowling attack.
Rohit Sharma’s Recent Form and Preparation
Rohit, who missed the Perth Test due to personal reasons, joined the team during the first match and participated in a two-day practice game against the Prime Minister’s XI. Though the game was curtailed due to rain, Rohit batted at No. 4, scoring a cautious 3 runs off 11 balls.
Since arriving in Adelaide, the Indian captain has been putting in intense sessions in the nets, signaling his readiness to contribute in any role required by the team.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.