Harbhajan Singh predicts that Rohit Sharma will either open or bat at number three in India’s batting order for the second Test against Australia in Adelaide.
New Delhi: India faces a pleasant dilemma ahead of the second Test in Adelaide against Australia. After a convincing win in Perth, they are eager to extend their lead to 2-0 in the day-night Test. However, the visitors must make a tough call as two of their top-order batters return after missing the opening match. Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh has shared his thoughts on the matter, along with his predictions for India’s batting order in Adelaide.
Rohit Sharma missed the Perth Test due to the birth of his second child, while Shubman Gill was sidelined with an injury. Both players are now set to return for the second Test in Adelaide. Gill is expected to slot in at number three, replacing Devdutt Padikkal, but the batting position of Indian skipper Rohit remains a topic of debate. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal put on a strong 201-run partnership in the second innings in Perth, with Rahul facing 250 deliveries across two innings and looking composed at the crease.
There is ongoing debate about whether the openers should be changed after their strong performance in the previous Test. However, Harbhajan Singh believes that Rohit Sharma could either open the batting or slot in at number three. He feels that Rohit should not be dropped to numbers five or six in the order, stating, “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 the best interest of the team. Your top four in the batting order should be the four pillars and someone like Rohit at the top would only add greater fillip,” Harbhajan told PTI on the sidelines of an event.
The second Test between India and Australia is set to begin on December 6 in Adelaide, a venue where India faced a historic collapse the last time they played a day-night Test, being dismissed for their lowest-ever Test total of 36.