Former spinner Harbhajan Singh has said that Rohit Sharma won’t bat at 5 or 6 during the Adelaide Test and will either open or come in at No.3. Rohit had missed the Perth Test as he was on paternity leave and during his absence, KL Rahul had stepped in as the opener for the team.
Rahul performed well with the bat and put on a 201-run stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal as it setup India’s win in the first match of the series. Once Rohit rejoined the squad ,with Rahul continuing as the opener. Speaking to PTI, Harbhajan said that he cannot see the India skipper coming lower than No.3 during the game.
The former spinner also stated that Rohit coming at No.6 wouldn’t be in the best interest of the team.
“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,” Harbhajan told PTI on the sidelines of the inauguration of the World Tennis Cricket League here.
“Number six for Rohit wouldn’t be in best interest of the team. Your top four in batting order should be the four pillars and someone like Rohit at the top would only add greater fillip.”
Rohit has a stellar record at No.6 as he has scored 1037 runs in 16 matches at an average of 54.57. He has scored 3 hundreds and 6 fifties from the spot.
Harbhajan also said that playing Washington Sundar ahead of Ashwin-Jadeja was a bold move from the Indian team.
“Washington had showed during the New Zealand series that he is ready to take over the mantle from Ashwin in coming days,” said Harbhajan.
When asked if Ashwin’s age is a factor, Harbhajan said that 38 isn’t too old but the spinner could be feeling the effects of fatigue.
“I don’t think 38 is old. He is not a 58- year-old. But yes, after so many years, the shoulders do experience fatigue and wear and tear, so the zip can just be a bit less,” said Harbhajan.
Australia and India will face off in the pink-ball Test, starting from December 6.