Rohit Sharma did not take part in the first innings as India took on Australia down under at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024/25. Sharma was on paternity leave to welcome his newborn child while India slugged it out against the Aussies in Perth.
The Test captain’s absence was not obvious in Days 2 and 3 as Yashasvi Jaiswal paired with KL Rahul to produce dominant performances vs Australia. Both cricketers combined to hand the Aussies a tough challenge ahead of concluding days in the first Test.
Selection headache is likely among coaching staff and selectors as India aims to take another hard-fought Test win Down Under.
Dodda Ganesh Backs KL Rahul for Opening Role
Former Team India cricketer Dodda Ganesh believes KL Rahul is a fantastic option to continue opening with Yashasvi Jaiswal. He made this comment via his X (formerly Twitter) handle:
“This opening partnership has to stay and Rohit will have to bat in the middle order. Hopefully, common sense prevails #AUSvIND #BorderGavaskarTrophy.”
“Sharma Should Bat in the Middle Order” – Ganesh
Ganesh continued by saying current Test captain should aim not to unsettle India’s current opening pair and take up a middle-order role instead:
“Just have KL Rahul opening throughout the tour. For heavens sake don’t shuffle his spot again. He’s the best bet to handle the conditions with the new ball. Rohit can bat in the middle order.”
KL Rahul formed a commanding opening partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first Test. The record-breaking performance from India’s new opening pair triggered several opinions to suggest Sharma choosing a different role.
Adam Gilchrist Drums Support for a Rahul-Jaiswal Opening Partnership
Former Aussie batter Adam Gilchrist believes the opening batting pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahil are perfect for India. He believes Rohit Sharma shouldn’t make a return to India’s major batting role just yet:
“What a headache to have two days into a series. Coming over here after a 3-0 dumping to New Zealand and there’s a little bit of panic and chaos and uncertainty, and they go up underground fourteen days in their build-up and all of a sudden here we are spoilt for options. Nice options for India to have. There’s a lot to play out between now and then.”
Rahul over Gill and Sharma?
Gilchrist believes Rahul shrugs off on-pitch challenges to deliver fine batting performances for his team regardless of the circumstance. The former Aussie thinks his unbeaten performance on Day 2 should keep him high up the pecking order above names like Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma:
“We need to see what happens with Shubman Gill, how quickly that injury can heal. What Rohit’s mindset is when he turns up, does he come and allow himself a bit more time to be ready for, say, the third test up at the Gabba?”
Gilchrist hails Rahul’s versatility
Adam believes several variables could determine Rahul’s continued pairing with Jaiswal; however, he thinks KL is versatile enough to hold down a spot:
“So many variables in there. It’s purely speculation at the moment, but I guess the one thing we do know is the point we touched on KL Rahul is versatile enough to feel any number of those roles and if he’s left out after what he’s achieved in this series, it’ll be a tough leave.“
Highlights of BGT 2024/25 Day 3
Team India took hold of the first Test vs Australia with an exciting performance on Day 3. Several Men in Blue players combined to hand the hosts a tougher challenge in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024/25 edition:
India maintains dominant performance
Team India continued from where they left off at Day 2 by handing Australia a tougher margin ahead of concluding innings of the first Test. The Men in Blue declared a mammoth 487 for 6 during the second innings and managed to set a 534-run target.
India has been able to maintain an impressive run of form after capitulating to Australia’s tough bowling on Day 1. Performances at Days 2 and 3 now see the Men in Blue gather momentum ahead of the second Test. Veteran cricketer Virat Kohli also managed his first century this season vs Australia. The seasoned batsman kept Aussie batters on edge throughout his innings, as India managed to stretch their dominant performance into Day 3. Kohli’s most-recent century means he now has 30 in Test cricket throughout his career.
