The dilemma over Rohit Sharma’s batting position for the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia continues to remain a hot topic among the cricket fraternity, with the Indian cricket team management and the captain himself keeping tight lips on the debate.
The experiment of Rohit Sharma batting at No. 6 backfired badly in the second Test in Adelaide, as the India captain could manage only 3 and 6 runs during the touring side’s 10-wicket loss to Australia.
Will Rohit Sharma return to open or stay at No. 6?
He sacrificed his batting position for KL Rahul after his and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s stunning partnership in Perth. However, Rahul also failed to shine in the Day-Night Test at the Adelaide Oval.
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Now, ahead of the third Test scheduled for December 14 at The Gabba in Brisbane, signs from India’s practice session on Thursday, December 12, in Brisbane strongly hinted that Rohit Sharma is set to return to open alongside the young Yashasvi Jaiswal against Australia.
A Times of India report claimed that the struggling Indian skipper practiced against the new ball in the nets at The Gabba. Rohit faced Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep with the new ball during the practice session in Brisbane on Thursday.
Rohit Sharma’s batting position in Focus as India’s practice session reveals big clues
Notably, ahead of the second Test in Adelaide, Rohit had not practiced against the new ball, so it is a clear hint that the seasoned opener will be returning to his original position for the crucial Brisbane Test, as Australia leveled the ongoing five-match Test series 1-1 by winning the pink-ball Test.
On the other hand, a Hindustan Times report revealed Rohit Sharma might stay in the No. 6 batting position for the third Test, while KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal are likely to open the innings at The Gabba. It is being said that Rahul and Jaiswal were the first to take to the nets on Thursday.
Captain Rohit Sharma in today’s batting practice in nets at Gabba.🇮🇳⭐ (CricSubhayan).#RohitSharma #JaspritBumra #Gabba #Gabbatest #BGT
#AUSvsIND #AUSvIND #INDvAUS #INDvsAUS #KLRahul #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/s5NqBUeiQe— Monish (@Monish09cric) December 12, 2024
Rohit joined earlier than before, replacing Rahul briefly before the latter returned for an additional batting session during India’s first training session in Brisbane on Thursday. Well, the official statement can only confirm the batting position for the right-handed batter and the Karnataka star.
Read Also: India Nets in Brisbane bring out the biggest update on Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for Gabba Test
Virat Kohli energizes the Indian cricket team with an animated pep talk ahead of the Brisbane Test
Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team’s practice session began with Virat Kohli’s pep talk in Brisbane on Thursday. During the practice session, former Indian captain Virat Kohli was seen addressing the team in a spirited huddle, delivering an energetic talk with all players and support staff gathered.
Jasprit Bumrah stood beside him as Virat Kohli animatedly interacted with the group. Later, he was spotted in a discussion with the Indian head coach, Gautam Gambhir. Kohli then engaged in an intense batting session, continuing his detailed preparations for the crucial third Test at The Gabba.
🚨 Here are some more moments captured by @debasissen #AUSvIND #ViratKohli #RohitSharma https://t.co/L2Cvy1QDtn pic.twitter.com/Nh1de1DCYG
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) December 12, 2024
The right-handed batter worked closely with India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, focusing on analyzing his responses to specific deliveries. Virat Kohli was dismissed to outside off-stump deliveries in Perth and Adelaide, so he is aiming to improve his approach to avoid repeating mistakes.
