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Former India head coach Ravi Shastri who is currently in Australia for the commentary duties of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 suggested Rohit Sharma feature as an opener in the third Test match which is scheduled to start from December 14 in Brisbane, Gabba.
Rohit who missed the first Test match because of paternity duties joined the squad before the second Test match in Adelaide. In the absence of Rohit, KL Rahul opened batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal during Perth Test and the wicketkeeper batter scored 103 runs that helped the Men in Blue to defeat Baggy Greens by 295 runs.
After witnessing the impressive performance by KL Rahul, Rohit sacrificed his opening slot for the wicketkeeper batter and he batted at number six. The batting order experiment by India failed as Rohit just scored nine runs during the Adelaide Test and KL Rahul scored just 44 runs.
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Shastri who was the team director of Virat Kohli-led India who registered their maiden Test series win against Australia on their home soil advised the India captain to lead from the front in the upcoming third Test match against Pat Cummins & Co.
“That’s where he’s been at his best over the last eight or nine years,” Shastri said. “It’s not that he’s going to set the world on fire – he could – but that’s the place that’s best for him. To lead from the front," Shastri said, as quoted by WA Today.
“If he has to do damage, if he has to throw the first punch, that’s the best place from where he can do it. And it is important that India get their judgment right here, because 1-1 in the series, this is the moving Test match."
Apart from Shastri, Team India also gave some hints during their net sessions in Brisbane that Rohit would be back in his original batting position. He will feature as an opener alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the upcoming Test match.
Rohit was spotted practising with the new ball, facing Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep during India's net sessions.
Ravi Shastri's bold prediction for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 winner
Shastri also reckoned that the upcoming Test match is important for both teams. The winner of Gabba Test will win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He also stated that after winning the second Test match by 10 wickets Australia got their confidence back.
“I feel whichever team wins this Test match will win the series. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind. So it is very, very important that India get the balance right, because Australia have got the confidence back,” said Shastri.
The ongoing five-Test match series is important for India to confirm their spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final which is scheduled to take place in England next year. India need to win all remaining three Test matches against Australia to seal their berth for WTC final.
