New Delhi. Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is struggling for runs in the ongoing Test series against Australia. He is batting at number six in the middle order instead of opening in Australia, but neither he nor the team is yet working on this formula. Has come in handy. Meanwhile, former coach of Team India Ravi Shastri has given Gurumantra to Rohit. Shastri says that Rohit should come out to bat with a clear mind. They should change their strategy and adopt an attacking stance against the bowlers. The fourth Test of the series between India and Australia will be played in Melbourne from 26 December.
Rohit Sharma could not play the first Test match in Australia to be with his family at the time of the birth of his second child. It was expected that he would field as an opening batsman. But after KL Rahul’s brilliant inning of 77 runs in India’s win in Perth, there was a change in the batting order and Rohit was dropped at number six. However, this change was not beneficial for Rohit as he has been able to score only 10, three and six runs in the last three innings, while Rahul took advantage of the opportunity by scoring 84 runs in the first innings in the third Test in Brisbane.
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There should be some change in Rohit’s strategy
Ravi Shastri said on ICC review, ‘I would like to see Rohit Sharma doing well. There should be a slight change in his strategy because he can still be very dangerous at this sixth position. I think he should be very clear in his mindset to go out on the field and attack the opposition and not worry about anything else. The only thing you don’t want from them is that they have two thoughts in their mind whether they have to defend or attack. I think they should attack. They should attack the opposition team on this number. Because if he stays at the crease for the first 10-15 minutes then why doesn’t he play his natural game? And attack the rival team.
‘The best number six batsman in the world knows how to counter-attack’‘
Shastri feels this is the best way for Rohit to get back into form and win matches for India. He also said that the best number six batsman in the world is the one who has the ability to counter-attack. He said, ‘I think this is not only a way to return to form but also to win the match for India. Would be the best way. Because this is an important number. The best number six batsman in the world knows how to counter-attack. They understand the situation very well. But if a lot of wickets have fallen then perhaps you will have to be careful for a while. But aggression should not be too late. When you are so capable and when you open the batting for India, you have all the shots to play in Australian conditions.
‘I would have asked Rohit to open the innings in Brisbane Test’
Rohit made his Test debut in 2013 at number six and scored a century. Shastri supported Rahul as an opener in the fourth Test after scoring two half-centuries in the five-Test series so far. He said, ‘I would have asked Rohit to open the innings in the Brisbane Test. But the way Rahul batted, it was fun to watch. The way he is batting, I think he has made a great start. The former Indian captain said that Rahul is in form at the moment and is full of confidence. Shastri said, ‘The way he is leaving the ball, the way he is letting the ball come on the bat, playing better cover drives, he is fantastic. So I think when you are so confident then it should be left as is. The third Test played in Gabba was a draw, while India won the first Test played in Perth by 295 runs, while Australia won the second Test played in Adelaide by 10 wickets.
Tags: IND vs AUS, India vs Australia, Ravi Shastri, Rohit Sharma
FIRST PUBLISHED : December 22, 2024, 4:19 PM IST