Rohit missed out on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener in Perth due to paternity leave.
Former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh opined that India skipper Rohit Sharma will bat in the top order during the second Test against Australia in Adelaide, starting on December 6.
Rohit missed out on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener in Perth due to paternity leave. In his absence, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul opened the innings for India in the first Test
Jaiswal and Rahul stitched a double-century stand as openers in Perth’s second innings, making a strong case to retain their partnership.
With Rohit and fit-again Shubman Gill set to return to the playing XI for the second Test, which will be played in a day-night setup with pink ball, the Indian batting order is likely to see a rejig.
During India’s practice match against Australia’s PM XI in Canberra, Rohit walked in to bat at No.4 with Rahul and Jaiswal opened the innings and Shubman Gill was slotted at No.3. Rohit’s demotion in the batting order was a hint that he could possibly bat in the middle order during the Adeliade Test.
However, Harbhajan said that Rohit won’t bat any lower than the No.3 slot but most likely will open.
“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 news agency PTI.
“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 added.
India played Washington Sundar as the lone spinner in the Perth Test ahead of seasoned campaigners like R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, and Harbhajan called it a significant move.
“Washington had showed during the New Zealand series that he is ready to take over the mantle from Ashwin in coming days,” Harbhajan said.
“I don’t think 38 (Ashwin’s age) is old. He 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,” he added.
India lead the five-match series 1-0 after a thumping 295-run win in the Perth Test under the captaincy of Jasprit Bumrah.