Veteran India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has stated that Rohit Sharma has created trouble for himself by not opening the innings in the ongoing BGT 2024 Test series against Australia.

Rohit, who joined the team following the first match of the five-Test series in Perth, made the selfless decision to shift down to the middle order after KL Rahul rediscovered his form as an opener alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. Cheteshwar Pujara commented on the change, saying it has exacerbated Rohit's recent troubles.

Pat Cummins dismissed Rohit. The Australian captain induced an outside edge of his opponent's bat, which was securely caught by wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

"It wasn't a length where you can drive. We have seen that even a fuller-length ball is hard to drive. He kind of tried to punch that ball. He should have defended that ball, allowing the ball to come to him rather than going for that ball. And I think the tough part is he hasn't been amongst the runs, and that's where the pressure is," Pujara said, talking on Star Sports.

Rohit Sharma has been in poor form since the home season in 2024. Rohit aggregated just 42 runs in four innings against Bangladesh and against New Zealand, he made just 91 runs in six innings.

Rohit's three innings in the middle order, two in Adelaide and one at the Gabba, read 3, 6, and 10.

"He has been opening the innings, now he's batting at number 6 (in Australia). That is for the team, but I still feel that when you are so much used to opening the innings and when you have to wait, then you put yourself in that doubt. I mean, it doesn't help you when you're opening innings and you suddenly start batting at number 6," he added.

India finished day 4 on 252/9 in Brisbane thanks to an unbeaten 39-run partnership for the last wicket between Akash Deep (27*) and Jasprit Bumrah (10*).