In a bold suggestion for the upcoming Adelaide Test, former India selector Devang Gandhi has advocated for skipper Rohit Sharma to bat at No.6, while KL Rahul continues to open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. Rahul’s resurgence in the Perth Test, where he shared a 201-run stand with Jaiswal to set up India’s victory, has strengthened his case as an opener.
Rohit, returning after paternity leave, featured in the match against the Prime Minister’s XI, batting at No.4. This strategic shift hints that India might experiment with their batting order during the pink-ball Test at Adelaide.
Gandhi’s Strategic Insights
In an interview with Times of India, Gandhi emphasized that Rohit batting at No.6 would allow India to maintain the effective left-right combination with Rishabh Pant at No.5.
“Rohit should come in at No.6 because Rishabh Pant has shaped up very well at No.5. This also helps us maintain the left-right balance,” Gandhi stated.
He further noted that transitioning from opener to middle-order would be easier for Rohit, given his past experience batting at No.6 early in his Test career.
Rohit Sharma’s History at No.6
Rohit has a proven record at No.6, amassing 1037 runs in 16 matches at an impressive average of 54.57, including three centuries and six fifties. During India’s 2018/19 tour of Australia, he played two Tests at No.6, scoring 37, 1, 63*, and 5 in Melbourne and Adelaide.
However, recent performances have placed Rohit under scrutiny. He struggled during the New Zealand series, scoring just 91 runs in three innings, including a duck in Pune. This followed a tough outing against Bangladesh, where he managed only 85 runs across four innings.
The Opening Conundrum
KL Rahul’s form in Perth has cemented his position as an opener, making it challenging for the team to reshuffle the top order. Gandhi pointed out that while transitioning a middle-order batter to an opener can be tough, an opener like Rohit shifting to the middle order is comparatively seamless.
What Lies Ahead?
With the Adelaide Test looming, all eyes will be on how India strategizes its batting order. Will Rohit embrace the No.6 role to bolster the middle order, or will the team stick to conventional roles?
Stay tuned to IFT Media for the latest updates and expert opinions on India’s Australia tour.
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