Former Indian Head Coach Ravi Shastri has weighed in his opinion on India’s batting order for the 2nd Test match that is slated to begin from 6th December 2024 between Australia and India.
Notably, India missed the services of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill in the 1st Test match at Perth and the duo are all set to stage a comeback into the starting XI. Now there is a big selection conundrum for the selectors as KL Rahul, who was asked to open the innings in Rohit’s absence, did a fantastic job.
The cricketer from Mangalore scored 26 and 77 runs and helped in the new ball, getting old. That is essentially the job of an opener and he did it with perfection.
Speaking to the ICC on their show ICC Review, Ravi Shastri voiced his opinion on Rohit Sharma and the experience he brings with himself in the middle-order.
“It’s a fantastic boost because there’s no doubting his quality. He’s very experienced. You need that experience in the middle order,” said Ravi Shastri.
“It’s the right mix of experience and youth in the setup, so whether he opens the batting or goes in the middle order, the choice is his. He’s experienced enough to see where he’s most dangerous when it comes to Australia. Where would Australia not like to see him? That’s the position he should choose. And he’s the leader of the pack, so he can afford to do that,” he added.
Ravi Shastri also mentioned the fact that Rohit Sharma hasn’t had much game-time in Australia and KL Rahul did a good job in the 1st Test.
“I think he (Rahul) should carry on (opening) because Rohit has not had much time since he’s come here (Australia). Very quickly he had to play that Prime Minister’s XI game. But I would say carry on with the same setup. He [Rohit] can bat at five or six,” said Ravi Shastri.
India have registered some big victories in Adelaide
India loves playing Test cricket in Adelaide and have had two sensational victories in this ground. Way back in 2003-04, Rahul Dravid scored a scintillating double hundred and helped India win the game from a precarious situation.
Recently, in 2018-19, Cheteshwar Pujara helped India win the Test match in the famed 2-1 Down Under Test series victory.
Also read: IPL 2025: Predicted Wicket-Keepers for All 10 Teams
