"Don't think they require any opinions from anybody" - Indian legend's no-nonsense response to query on Rohit Sharma's batting position
Former India all-rounder Mohinder Amarnath downplayed all the fuss around skipper Rohit Sharma's batting position for the second Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Adelaide. The 1983 World Cup winner said that the Indian team does not need any opinions from outside and can decide within themselves what is in the best interest of the team.
Rohit missed the first Test against Australia in Perth to be with his family for the birth of his second child. In his absence, KL Rahul opened the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal and made significant contributions in both innings. While Rohit is available for the second Test, which will begin in Adelaide on December 6, experts and fans are divided over his batting position.
At the launch of his book 'Fearless: A Memoir', Amarnath chipped in with his thoughts on the debate. The 74-year-old commented (as quoted by PTI):
"I am sure they will work it, they are in the middle of things. I don't think they require any opinions from anybody, they know how to go about it. They are all experienced players and they understand the situation and the combinations and all that, so I am sure they will work it out."
Amarnath was the Player of the Match in the 1983 World Cup semifinal and the final against England and West Indies respectively. He represented the country in 69 Tests and 85 ODIs, scoring 4,378 and 1,924 runs respectively. With his medium pace, he picked up 32 scalps in Tests and 46 in ODIs.
Why Gavaskar wants Rohit Sharma to open in Adelaide
Amarnath did not pick a specific player to open the innings with Jaiswal in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. However, his 1983 World Cup teammate Sunil Gavaskar wants Rohit to bat at the top of the order.
During an interaction with Sports Tak, the former India captain commented:
"I want Rohit Sharma to come back in the opening because Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal had become a pair. Yes, Rohit was not there, that's why K.L. Rahul returned in the opening. I want Rohit to come back because the square boundaries of Adelaide are very small. And Rohit has a habit of pulling. Pulling is a very productive shot for him. So he can make a lot of runs by pulling shots."
Before the second Test against Australia in Adelaide, India A will take on the Prime Minister's XI in a two-day practice game at the Manuka Oval in Canberra from November 30 to December 1.