In the absence of captain Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal have done a commendable job in the first Test against Australia in Perth. The duo stitched an opening partnership of 201 runs in the second innings, putting the hosts under immense pressure as they eventually lost by 295 runs. That, however, has led to a series of discussions about Rohit’s batting position in the second Test in Adelaide.
Since Rahul and Jaiswal’s partnership worked wonders in the first Test, the team management may not want to alter that. However, it would complicate Rohit’s position, who has done a brilliant job at the top of the order. Meanwhile, the practice match against Prime Minister's XI gave a hint of what the team management is contemplating as Rahul and Jaiswal opened in that game while Rohit batted at number four.
There are reports that the captain can feature at five in the Adelaide Test, given that Jaiswal, Rahul, Shubman Gill and Kohli will fill the first four spots. It would push Rishabh Pant to six and any of the spinners can fill the gap at number seven.
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However, former cricketer Harbhajan Singh does not believe that Rohit will be batting in the middle-order. He expects the 37-year-old to open with Jaiswal or play at number three. The off-spinner added that Rohit batting in the middle order won’t be in the best interest of the team and highlighted that a player such as him should be batting at the top.
“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. 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,” Harbhajan was quoted as saying by India Today.
Notably, Rohit has scored 1037 runs in 16 matches at an average of 54.5 while batting at No. 6 in Test cricket. He also three hundreds and six fifties while batting at that position.
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