The legendary bowling legend of the Indian national cricket team Harbhajan Singh supported the skipper Rohit Sharma to continue as the top batsman for the team in Test cricket.
Harbhajan Singh has argued that Rohit Sharma should not move to the middle order and that he should continue as a batsman or take the No.3 position in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
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KL Rahul opened with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the Perth Test
The Indian skipper has been ruled out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 opener against Australia due to the birth of her second child.
In his absence, jasprit bumra led the team in the Perth Test with KL Rahul along with Yashaswi Jaiswal as the opener. Rahul, who was under pressure when he came into the game, stunned everyone with his excellent display with the bat.
Rahul batted exceptionally well, scoring 26 runs off 74 balls in the first innings before being controversially given out. In the second innings, he looked even better, scoring 77 runs off 176 balls while participating in a sensational 201-run stand with Yashaswi Jaiswal.
KL Rahul’s performance has led to calls for him to continue as a team player, especially with the out-of-form Indian captain by his side.
Rohit Sharma batted in India’s No.4 against Australia’s Prime Minister’s XI
Rohit Sharma joined the team midway through the Perth Test and then took part in the pink one-dayer against the Australian Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra.
In the Indian team sheet for the IND vs PM XI clash, Rohit Sharma is listed as the No. 5 batsman behind KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal. Shubman Gilland Virat Kohli.
Rohit not being named as a player was a sign that a major change in the batting order was on the cards. When India’s innings started in Canberra, KL Rahul and Yashaswi Chaiswal once again opened the game and did a good job.
The duo complimented each other very well and seemed settled, especially Rahul. Shubman Gill, who is coming back from a thumb injury, bats at No.3, followed by Rohit Sharma at No.4, which is Virat Kohli’s place in the Test team. Notably, Kohli did not play the tour match and decided to practice alongside Jasprit Bumrah.
Rohit, meanwhile, looked good in the middle initially but got out while chasing the fifth ball. He managed to score only 3 runs off 11 balls.
I don’t see Rohit coming in at number five or six – Harbhajan Singh
With speculation mounting about Rohit Sharma batting at No.5 or No.6 in the four Test matches against Australia, Harbhajan Singh shared his thoughts on the matter.
Speaking to PTI, Harbhajan said that Rohit should continue as a top-order batsman and a move to the middle order would not be in the best interest of the team.
“I don’t see Rohit at number five or six. Either Rohit will open with Yashaswi Jaiswal and come out with KL Rahul at number three or bat at number three sooner,” Harbhajan Singh told PTI on the sidelines. opening ceremony of the World Tennis League.
“The number six for Rohit is not 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 only adds more strength,” said Harbhajan Singh.
