Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh wants skipper Rohit Sharma to bat in the top order in the pink-ball Test match against Australia. The Turbanator doesn’t want to see Rohit bat after number three as he either wants to see him opening with Yashasvi Jaiswal or bat at one down.
Meanwhile, Jaiswal and KL Rahul added a fine opening alliance of 201 runs in the second innings of the opening Test at Perth, which is the highest partnership for India on Australian shores.
Furthermore, Shubman Gill, who bats at number three for India in Test matches, is all set to return to the playing XI after recuperating from a thumb injury.
It is worth mentioning that Rohit batted at number four in the pink-ball practice match against Prime Ministers XI, indicating he might not open against Australia.
“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. 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,” Harbhajan Singh said on PTI.
On the other hand, Harbhajan added that Ravichandran Ashwin is not that old to not be considered for selection in the final XI. Washington Sundar was backed ahead of Jadeja and Ashwin in the opening Test of the series.
“I don’t think 38 is old. He (Ashwin) 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. Washington had showed during the New Zealand series that he is ready to take over the mantle from Ashwin in coming days,” said Harbhajan.
The second Test match between Australia and India, which will be a pink-ball game, will be played at Adelaide Oval from December 6 onwards.
