"Where would Australia not like to see him?" - Ravi Shastri weighs in on Rohit Sharma's batting position for 2nd BGT 2024-25 Test
Former Indian all-rounder Ravi Shastri feels returning skipper Rohit Sharma should bat at the position where the Australians would least like to bowl to him in the upcoming second Test in Adelaide, starting December 6. With Rohit missing the series opener due to the birth of his second child, Team India pulled off a spectacular 295-run win to take a 1-0 series lead.
The biggest talking point after the first Test has been the stellar performance of KL Rahul and his opening partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal. The duo added the first-ever double century partnership for India in a Test match down under in the second innings.
Rahul's outstanding display has pushed the Indian management into a conundrum as to whether Rohit should return to his customary opening spot or bat in the middle-order.
Speaking to the ICC in the build-up to the Adelaide Test, Shastri felt Rohit should bat in the middle-order at No.5 or 6.
"He’s experienced enough to see where he’s most dangerous when it comes to Australia. Where would Australia not like to see him? That’s the position he should choose. And he’s the leader of the pack, so he can afford to do that. It’s a fantastic boost because there’s no doubting his quality. He’s very experienced. You need that experience in the middle order," he said.
Shastri added:
"It’s the right mix of experience and youth in the setup, so whether he opens the batting or goes in the middle order, the choice is his. I think he (Rahul) should carry on (opening) because Rohit has not had much time since he’s come here (Australia). Very quickly he had to play that Prime Minister’s XI game. But I would say carry on with the same setup. He [Rohit] can bat at five or six."
Rohit has opened throughout in Test cricket since the 2018-19 Australian tour with tremendous success.
However, his recent form has been far from impressive with an average of under 16 in the recent three-match home series against New Zealand.
"This is one of the strongest batting line-ups simply because of the experience" - Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri believes the return of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill for the second Test makes this arguably India's strongest batting lineup to tour Australia in the past 15 years.
Gill, who missed the opening Test due to a thumb injury suffered during practice, will likely slot back in at his customary no.3 position.
"The fact that Shubman Gill is fit as well makes it a very strong Indian side. I would say in the last 10-15 years, of all the sides that have come out to Australia, you get the feeling that this is one of the strongest batting line-ups simply because of the experience. You have Shubman fit, bats at three. Rohit’s fit, he comes back and plays instead of (Devdutt) Padikkal and (Dhruv) Jurel," said Shastri.
Shastri was the Indian coach when the side won back-to-back Test series in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21.
India have won the previous four bilateral Test series against Australia, with their last series defeat coming in the 2014-15 tour down under.