England vs India 2014 - 3rd Test: Stuart Binny set to make way for Rohit Sharma at Rose Bowl

Rohit Sharma

Mumbai batsman Rohit Sharma is all set to make the playing XI in the third Test at Rose Bowl at the expense of Stuart Binny, according to ESPN Cricinfo. The 27-year-old middle order batsman had the first go during Team India’s net session on Friday while Binny didn’t even bat in the main net.

India is known to allow it’s first team to get more time in the net sessions before giving some space to the reserves. Even at Lord’s, India followed a familiar suite and Binny got to bat at No.8 ahead of Gautam Gambhir and Rohit.

The Karnataka all-rounder had a disappointing outing in the second Test with scores of 9 and 0 after a match-saving 78 at Trent Bridge. At the start of the series, India altered with their preferred formula of 6 specialist batsmen and 4 specialist bowlers for an additional bowling option.

However, the 30-year-old was not asked to bowl in the second innings of the Lord’s Test, in which Ishant Sharma bounced out England. Binny’s spells in the first innings read: 7-0-24-0 and 3-0-21-0. The medium pacer did not do wonders with the ball in the first Test either, as his figures indicate a moderate performance – 0/37 in 10 overs. 

The right-handed Rohit Sharma, who began his Test career with back-to-back tons against West Indies at home is most likely to return to his middle-order slot. Rose Bowl – the venue that has hosted only one Test till date – is predicted to have bounce and carry, but not to the extent as what the pitch at Lord’s offered. This might have prompted the team management to make this change.

However, why Ravichandran Ashwin is still not being considered – despite Ravindra Jadeja’s poor form with the ball –  is still a mystery. The left-arm spinner has picked up just 3 wickets at an average of 59.66 so far in the series.