Rohit Sharma is expected to play in the Adelaide test of the BGT 2024-25 series after missing the Perth test. The Indian team will benefit greatly as Rohit will strengthen the batting lineup. Shubman Gill is also set to return after recovering from a thumb injury. He played a practice match against the Prime Minister’s XI.
Both players are likely to replace Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel, who couldn’t perform well in the first test. India won that match by 295 runs. Padikkal and Jurel failed to make a notable impact.
While their inclusion in the XI is clear, there’s now a question about their batting positions. It is likely that Gill will replace Padikkal at number 3, as he is seen as India’s long-term replacement for Pujara. However, there is a debate about Rohit Sharma’s position.
Rohit has been India’s first-choice opener since 2019. But KL Rahul’s excellent performance in Perth might push Rohit back to the middle order, where he began his Test career in 2013. Below, we discuss two reasons why this could be the right decision.
1. KL Rahul’s Strength with the New Ball
KL Rahul has shown he can handle the new ball well. He is the only Indian opener to score centuries in Australia, England, and South Africa. His technique in dealing with difficult deliveries has been excellent. In the Perth test, he scored 26 (74) and 77 (176), forming a 201-run opening partnership with Jaiswal. It was the highest by an Indian pair in Australia.
Recently, Rahul has been playing in the middle order but got the chance to open in Perth. His knocks were impressive. He played patiently, waiting for the right deliveries to attack. He repeated this method in the warm-up match against the Prime Minister’s XI. Under the pink-ball lights, he batted confidently, hitting four boundaries.
India should trust Rahul’s ability to handle the new ball. It can make things easier for the middle-order batsmen.
2. Rohit Sharma’s Struggles and Aggressive Approach
Rohit had a tough time in the recent home test series. In 10 innings, he averaged only 13 runs and crossed 25 runs just once. Although the pitches weren’t ideal for batting, his aggressive mindset in test cricket is a concern.
In Australia, conditions will be even tougher. The Adelaide day-night test, where India was bowled out for 36 in a similar situation, is a reminder. Facing the Australian pacers with a new pink ball is a challenge. As seen with Rahul and Jaiswal in Perth, and Pujara in the past, it’s important to survive the new ball in Australia. Batting becomes easier once the ball gets older.
Rohit’s aggressive approach might be more useful later in the innings when the ball is softer. In the middle order, he can take advantage of tiring bowlers. Rohit should avoid taking too many risks early on. His focus should be on consistency rather than quick runs.
Conclusion
Rohit Sharma moving to the middle order in the BGT 2024-25 Adelaide test seems to be the right choice. KL Rahul has shown he can handle the new ball well, and Rohit’s aggressive style will be better suited for the middle overs. This decision will benefit India in both the short and long term.
Also Read: India vs Australia: Pink-Ball Test Preview And Records
