Harbhajan Singh believes Rohit Sharma must bat in the top four for India’s success in the second Test against Australia.
Rohit Sharma’s Best Role Debated by Harbhajan Singh
With India preparing for the second Test against Australia, the batting order is under scrutiny.
Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh, a longtime teammate of Rohit Sharma, emphasized the importance of the skipper batting in the top four.
Harbhajan remarked that placing Rohit lower in the order could negatively impact the team’s stability and momentum.
“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,” Harbhajan told PTI on the sidelines of the inauguration of the World Tennis Cricket League here.
Rohit has been India’s opener in Tests since 2019, a position where he has flourished.
In 37 matches, he has scored 2685 runs, averaging 44.01, with nine centuries. Harbhajan stated, “Your top four batters should be the team’s pillars, and Rohit at the top provides strength.”
He suggested two possibilities: Rohit opening with Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul batting at No.3 or Rohit moving to the No.3 slot himself.
The Dilemma of the Middle Order
Before 2019, Rohit often batted in the middle or lower order, struggling to find consistency.
However, as an opener, he transformed his Test career, shining with a stellar performance in the 2019 series against South Africa, where he amassed 529 runs in four innings.
The current debate arises due to India’s successful opening pair in the first Test, where KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal added 201 runs in the second innings.
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Harbhajan expressed that disrupting this combination might not be ideal. He also highlighted the need for Rahul, who has been versatile, to adapt if required.
“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,” said Harbhajan.
India’s decision regarding Rohit Sharma’s batting position will be pivotal in the pink-ball Test.
Harbhajan firmly believes that keeping Rohit in the top four will ensure a solid start and build momentum for the team’s innings.
Fans are eager to see if India can maintain their dominance and hand Australia their first pink-ball Test defeat.
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