Given the exciting conclusion of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Sanjay Manjrekar suggested that India could consider bringing back KL Rahul to open the batting. With all four conceivable MCG Test results, Rohit Sharma should fall to No. 3, according to Manjrekar. Rohit has only reached double digits once since rejoining the national squad, scoring just 22 runs from four innings at an average of 5.50. After Rohit mistimed a pull shot in the first innings of the Melbourne Test, Pat Cummins took his wicket.
Manjrekar's advice to India
"Ideally, you would want KL Rahul back at the top because it’s important to have an opening start. With the kind of form Rohit Sharma has been in, you are hoping against hope that he has another long innings under his belt. Rahul at the top restores a little more confidence, and it’s been a successful opening pair in the series. That could happen and No.3 for Rohit may not be too different from batting at the top of the order," Manjrekar told Star Sports.
Australia reached 228 for 9 at Stumps on Day 4 with the help of an undefeated 55-run partnership between Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon. India must set a record for the highest successful run-chase in Test cricket history at the MCG when they come to bat because of Australia's 333-run lead.
Manjrekar names biggest threats for Australia
Manjrekar further predicted that as the Kookaburra ball gets old and soft, it will be difficult for the Australians to get rid of Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar.
"But the real dangerman apart from the top four are people like Pant, who is used to playing a great innings. As the Kookaburra ball gets soft, you have got three guys Australia will find it tough to get out. Jadeja, Reddy and Sundar. With the Indian batting running deep and with a soft Kookaburra ball, Australia will have to bowl really well to clean up the entire Indian batting lineup," Manjrekar added.