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India captain Rohit Sharma has joined the squad for the second Test match of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The Indian skipper welcomed his second child along with his wife and was on paternity leave during the first Test match. In his absence India's legendary speedster Jasprit Bumrah captained India and KL Rahul opened the batting alongside young Yashasvi Jaiswal.
The duo dominated Australia in the second innings. Yashasvi and KL Rahul stitched a historic partnership of 201 runs which is the highest first wicket partnership by an Indian. KL Rahul made a promising start in the first innings with a score of 26(74) before his controversial dismissal, and in his second turn, he left the spectators mesmerised with a composed 77(176).
Now as Rohit is back in the squad the management is dealing with a conundrum of whether to stick with the opening combination or stack Rohit up in his usual spot. Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar advised team India to go with the opening batting pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul in the upcoming second Test match scheduled to take place in Adelaide Oval on December 4.
“Will we again go by stature and the incumbent senior iconic player? I think they will go by common sense and the current reality. Rohit Sharma himself would volunteer as captain. So, I think to make the most of what you’ve already gained from that second innings,” said Manjrekar as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
If India decides to go with the same opening duo as Perth Test then Rohit Sharma will have to feature at number five because Shubman Gill who plays at number three has joined the squad and the management will not tinker around with Virat Kohli's batting position.
“I think Gill considering his first Test match of the series, that number (No. 3) would actually ensure more success from Shubman Gill, a contribution. And Rohit Sharma as well it won’t be a massive difference from opening the innings and batting at No. 5," he continued.
“So, No.3 would be a nice compromise. So, I think why we're on this topic maybe Indian cricket also must reach a stage where they don’t give too much importance to batting positions like you have in T20 cricket that keeps swapping. So, whatever makes cricketing sense, and that always is something that maybe the Indian team management might think about,” Manjrekar concluded.
The second Test match is scheduled to start from December 6 to 10 at Adelaide Oval and this will be the pink ball day/night clash.
