Rohit Sharma may continue to bat at number six for India in the upcoming third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia, despite calls for him to return to the opening slot.
However, there is pressure from cricket experts for Rohit to replace KL Rahul at the top; The Indian captain is expected to bat at No. 6 in The Gabba Test from December 14.
Rohit Sharma will remain at No.6 for the Gabba Test despite calls for the opener to be brought back
Rohit Sharma had a miserable outing in the second Test against Australia, scoring 3 and 6 during their humiliating 10-wicket defeat at the Adelaide Oval after returning to India from paternity leave.
His stats in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) are better as an opener, but many believe his age and form make the number six slot more suitable for captaincy.
The BCCI Level 3 coach claimed that Rohit’s limited footwork and slower reflexes are common age-related issues, but it makes it difficult for him to open against world-class bowlers. With the current footwork, the coach emphasized that Rohit’s performance in the opening game will not be very effective.
‘He’s on the field more often’: Coach on Rohit Sharma
PTI quoted a qualified batting coach on condition of anonymity: “Rohit Sharma has had very limited footwork throughout his career, even in his prime. Obviously, at 37-and-a-half years, the reflexes have slowed and he’s picking up the length a little late. If you look at Rohit’s dismissals even in India, he is challenging more often.
He further explained, “The reason he has a front leg stride is because it gets shorter with age. For example, if you pronounce the side of the front foot, say three feet, you can cut the deflection angle of a delivery off the surface. But if your stride is only a leg and a quarter, you allow the same delivery to shape or shape. So a world class bowler will attack both your inside edge and outside edge.
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Rohit Sharma can play a traditional attacking game and get quick runs at No.6: BCCI coach
The coach further noted that No.6 Rohit will likely face an older or semi-aged ball, which suits his style of attack. He added that the number six position would also allow the right-handed batsman to take advantage of tiring bowlers after hitting long overs.
He signed off by saying: “With the current footwork, the Red Kookaburra will be pulled around again and will be planted at the Gabba if it opens. If it goes into the 6th, it’s either an old or half-aged Kookaburra, it’ll have a pinched seam and won’t do much. He can play his usual attacking game and get quick runs. If it comes on the second new ball, that means (Mitchell) Starc and (Pat) Cummins have both scored 25 singles.”
Earlier, former India coach Devang Gandhi said that dropping Rohit to No.6 was the right call by the Indian team management. He added that his numbers in the SENA countries are not impressive enough to prove that he is a big success as an opener, so this position is perfect for him.
