Ravi Shastri has suggested that Rohit Sharma should come in as an opener in the third Test match against Australia in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Gabba.
Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has suggested that Rohit Sharma should come in as the opener in the third Test match of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia, set to begin December 14 in Gabba.
Rohit had missed the first Test match because of paternity duties. In his absence, KL Rahul was the opening partner of Yashasvi Jaiswal during Perth Test, where the wicketkeeper batter scored 103 runs.
After seeing the impressive performance by KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma gave his opening spot to the wicketkeeper-batter, and batted at the sixth spot himself. This experiment in the batting order failed for India as Rohit just scored 9 runs during Adelaide Test and KL Rahul scored just 44 runs.
Ravi was the team director of team India when they registered their maiden win against Australia on their home grounds. He has now advised the Indian captain to lead the team up front in the upcoming third Test against Australia.
“That’s where he’s been at his best over the last eight or nine years,” Shastri said. “It’s not that he’s going to set the world on fire – he could – but that’s the place that’s best for him. To lead from the front,” he added.
“If he has to do damage, if he has to throw the first punch, that’s the best place from where he can do it. And it is important that India get their judgment right here, because 1-1 in the series, this is the moving Test match,” he added.
Ravi also accepted that the upcoming match is important for both the teams and that the winner of Gabba Test will be the winner of the whole series. He even said that Australia got their confidence back after they won the second Test by 10 wickets.
“I feel whichever team wins this Test match will win the series. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind. So it is very, very important that India get the balance right, because Australia have got the confidence back,” said Ravi.
The ongoing five-Test series is important for India to confirm their spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, which will be held in England next year.
