Indian captain Rohit Sharma arrived at Perth, Australia on November 24. Rohit who was on the paternity leave and did not lead India in the Perth Test has started practicing for the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. Rohit can be seen facing Prasidh Krishna in the nets.
Cricketer-turned-commentator David Warner observed Rohit's net session during Day 4 of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 opener at Optus Stadium, Perth.
“He is looking nice and sharp against his fellow countrymen here in the nets," Warner said on Fox Cricket.
“We’ve got a few of the Indian fast bowlers bowling towards the captain ahead of the pink ball test match starting the 6th of December in Adelaide.
“As we just see there Mukesh Kumar sending down a nice delivery. But it’s great to see the captain here and we’re looking forward to seeing him back out on the park here on Australian soil.”
Rohit's numbers in pink-ball Tests
Rohit has never played a pink-ball Test against Australia. He is India's second-highest run-scorer in Day/Night Tests. From three Tests, he has 173 runs at an average of 43.25 including one fifty. His maiden half-century in pink-ball Tests came against England at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad against England in 2021.
Rohit's numbers in Adelaide and recent form
Rohit averages over 31 in Australia with three fifties to his name from seven Tests. The 37-year-old does not have a good record in Adelaide. He has played two Tests at the venue and scored 87 runs from four innings.
The opening batter's recent form has not been promising. He could not score a single half-century in the two-Test series against Bangladesh and three-Test series against New Zealand.
Where will Rahul bat when Rohit returns?
However, it will be interesting to see where KL Rahul bats when Rohit returns to the side. Rahul proved his mettle by scoring 77 runs in the third innings sharing a record-breaking 201-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
If Shubman Gill recovers from thumb injury, the selectors will face a conundrum on where to fit Rahul in the batting order. If Gill is not declared fit for Adelaide Test, Rahul may bat at no.3.
