Ravi Shastri has said that the only way Rohit Sharma can reassert his authority and leadership will be by coming up the order and landing the ‘first punch’ against Australia. Rohit, who had missed the first Test, came back for the match in Perth and struggled to make an impact with the bat.
The India captain’s decision to come in at No.6 backfired as he scored just 9 runs across both innings as the visitors lost the match by 10 wickets. Rohit has been enduring a poor run of form, stretching back to the home series against New Zealand, and Shastri feels he should move back to the top of the order.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: Full coverage
The former India coach feels that would be the best spot for Rohit to launch the first attack against the hosts.
“That’s where he’s been at his best over the last eight or nine years. 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,” Shastri told this masthead. “To lead from the front.”
“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,” said Shastri.
So far in 2024, Rohit has played 12 matches and has scored 597 runs at an average of 27.13.
Whoever wins in Gabba, wins the series
Shastri also said that India will need to get their judgement right in the third Test as he feels that whoever wins in Gabba will go to clinch the series.
“It is important that India get their judgment right here, because 1-1 in the series, this is the moving Test match.”
“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.
Australia and India will lock horns at the Gabba in the 3rd Test from December 14 with the series level at 1-1.
