The India National Cricket Team bowling legend Harbhajan Singh has backed skipper Rohit Sharma to continue as the top-order batsman for the team in Test cricket.
Harbhajan Singh has opined that Rohit Sharma shouldn’t be moving to middle-order and he should continue as an opener or take the No.3 position in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
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KL Rahul opened with Yashasvi Jaiswal in Perth Test
The Indian skipper missed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 opener against the Australia Team due to the birth of his second child.
In his absence, Jasprit Bumrah led the team in the Perth Test with KL Rahul partnering with Yashasvi Jaiswal as an opener. Rahul, who was under pressure heading into the match, astonished everyone with his excellent showing with the bat.
Rahul batted exceptionally well and scored 26 runs off 74 balls in the first innings before being given out in a controversial fashion. In the second innings, he looked even better and scored 77 runs off 176 balls while being involved in a sensational 201-run stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
KL Rahul’s performance led to the calls for his continuation as the opener of the team, especially with the Indian captain not having the form on his side.
Rohit Sharma batted at No.4 in India vs Australia’s Prime Minister’s XI
Rohit Sharma joined the team mid-way through the Perth Test and then participated in the pink-ball one-day match against Australia’s Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra.
In the team sheet of India for the IND vs PM XI clash, Rohit Sharma was listed as the No.5 batter in the line-up behind KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli.
Rohit not being named as an opener was a hint that a huge change in the batting order was on the cards. As the India innings began in Canberra, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal once again opened the innings and did a great job.
The duo complimented each other very well and looked settled in the middle, especially Rahul. Shubman Gill, who was returning from a thumb injury, batted at No.3, and after him came Rohit Sharma at the No.4 position, which is Virat Kohli’s spot in the Test team. Notably, Kohli didn’t play the tour game and decided to practice on the sidelines with Jasprit Bumrah.
Meanwhile, Rohit looked decent in the middle initially but got out while chasing a fifth stump ball. He managed to register just 3 runs off 11 balls.
I don’t see Rohit coming in at number five or six – Harbhajan Singh
With the speculations of Rohit Sharma batting at the No.5 or No.6 in the next four Test matches against Australia intensifying, Harbhajan Singh shared his views on the matter.
Speaking to PTI, Harbhajan said that Rohit should continue as the top-order batter and that him moving to middle-order won’t be in the best interest of the team.
“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 Singh told PTI on the sidelines of the inauguration of the World Tennis League.
“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 Singh added.