"Number six for Rohit wouldn't be in best interest of the team"- Harbhajan Singh on ideal batting position for Indian skipper in 2nd BGT 2024-25 Test
Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh believes No.6 will be too low a batting position for the returning Rohit Sharma in the second Australia Test. The day-night Test will be played in Adelaide, starting on December 6. Rohit missed the series opener at Perth due to the birth of his second child, forcing India to promote KL Rahul to open the batting with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Yet, the duo overcame a five-run opening stand in the first innings with India's first-ever 200-run opening partnership in a Test down under in the second innings. Their brilliant 201-run partnership helped India set Australia a daunting target of 534 and eventually complete a massive 295-run victory.
Rohit and Jaiswal have formed a formidable opening partnership in Tests over the past year. However, Rahul's sensational outing at the top has left India with a conundrum for the second Test.
Speaking to the PTI in the build-up to the contest, Harbhajan felt Rohit should bat no lower than No. 3.
"I don't see Rohit coming in at number five or six. Either Rohit will open with Yashasvi Jaiswal, with KL Rahul coming in at number three, or he will bat no later than number three. Number six for Rohit wouldn't be in best interest of the team. Your top four in batting order should be the four pillars and someone like Rohit at the top would only add greater fillip," he said.
Rohit has opened the batting for India in 42 out of his 64 Tests, with his last non-opening stint coming ironically in Australia in 2018.
"He is not a 58-year-old" - Harbhajan Singh on age being a factor for Ravichandran Ashwin
Harbhajan Singh dismissed age being a factor for Ravichandran Ashwin's exclusion in the first Australia Test. In a surprising move, Team India went with Washington Sundar as their lone spinner in the playing 11, leaving out senior pros Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
"I don't think 38 is old. He (Ashwin) is not a 58- year-old. But yes, after so many years, the shoulders do experience fatigue and wear and tear, so the zip can just be a bit less. Washington had showed during the New Zealand series that he is ready to take over the mantle from Ashwin in coming days," said Harbhajan.
Sundar did not have much of a role in the first innings, bowling only two overs. However, the Tamil Nadu off-spinner bowled an extended spell of 15 overs during Australia's run-chase, picking up figures of 2/48.