"He should bat at No. 3" - Danish Kaneria wants Rohit Sharma to give up his opening spot in BGT 2024-25
Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has opined that Team India skipper Rohit Sharma should change his batting position for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. He said amid poor form, the veteran opener will benefit by coming at No. 3.
Kaneria suggested that lately, Sharma has failed to see through the new ball in red-ball cricket. He pointed out that in the seam-friendly conditions in Australia, the seasoned campaigner would have a better chance of turning things around if he changed his position.
Speaking in a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Danish Kaneria 261,' he said:
"With the kind of form Rohit Sharma is in, no doubt he has been a great player and has done a lot for Team India, it is my opinion that he should bat at No. 3. Shubman Gill should open with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Maybe it will give some more time to Rohit Sharma as he has been struggling with the new ball. The ball will swing and seam more in Australia, so maybe they can consider this." (18:18)
Rohit Sharma's form has come under the scanner following a string of underwhelming performances in the ongoing three-match home Test series against New Zealand. The right-handed batter has scored just 62 runs across four innings at an average of 15.50.
The Indian skipper has also received criticism after New Zealand pocketed the series by claiming an unassailable 2-0 lead, with one match to go. India suffered their first Test home Test series defeat in 12 years, while the Blackcaps clinched their maiden Test series victory on Indian soil.
"I hope they give him a chance from the first match itself" - Danish Kaneria on Nitish Kumar Reddy
Seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy earned his maiden Test call-up as he has been picked in India's squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Danish Kaneria reckoned that the youngster should get the nod in the playing XI over experienced batter KL Rahul.
The 43-year-old urged the Indian team management to play Nitish right from the opening encounter. Kaneria said in the aforementioned video:
"Instead of KL Rahul, India should play Nitish Kumar Reddy. He is a fantastic cricketer and can score quickly and is a very good fielder. KL Rahul has been under a lot of pressure. Now that India have selected Nitish, I hope they give him a chance from the first match itself." (19:06)
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will kick off in Perth on November 22. India have a chance of completing a hat-trick of Test series wins Down Under.