Debate over Rohit Sharma's batting position for 2nd BGT 2024-25 Test: Here's what experts have to say

A massive debate has been going on over Rohit Sharma's batting position in the build-up to the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Test, which begins at the Adelaide Oval on Friday, December 6. The Indian captain missed the first Test in Perth for the birth of his second child, born on November 15.

Rohit reached Perth during the Test match amid growing debate over his batting position. In his absence, KL Rahul opened the innings and made significant contributions of 26 and 77 in India's 295-run triumph in Perth. He looked technically well-equipped to tackle the extra bounce on offer at the Optus Stadium.

Critics and fans have since been divided over whether Rohit should return to his original batting position for the pink-ball Test in Adelaide or move down the order and allow Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal to continue batting at the top. Below is a compilation of some expert reactions to the debate.

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"I don't see Rohit coming in at No. 5 or 6" - Harbhajan Singh

According to former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, Rohit should not bat at No. 5 or No. 6 as it would be too low a spot for him. He opined that the Indian skipper should either open or come in at No. 3. Harbhajan told PTI:

"I don't see Rohit coming in at number five or six. Either Rohit will open with Yashasvi Jaiswal, with KL Rahul coming in at number three, or he will bat no later than number three. Number six for Rohit wouldn't be in best interest of the team. Your top four in batting order should be the four pillars and someone like Rohit at the top would only add greater fillip."

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“Rohit Sharma could suggest, 'I don't need to open'" - Sanjay Manjrekar

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has urged Rohit to give up his opening spot in the team's best interest so that the in-form duo of Rahul and Jaiswal can continue opening in Adelaide.

Manjrekar also opined that since Rohit did not play the first Test, he might find opening in the pink-ball Test a tough proposition.

"Rohit Sharma could suggest, with the kind that form that he has, 'I don't need to open'. If you can drop Ashwin and Jadeja and pick Washington Sundar on current reality, that is an option. It will be tough to do and Rohit Sharma will himself have to decide..." Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo.

"Rohit Sharma, with the new ball, pink ball Test match - it is going to be tough, but I guess India will have to go to the captain to bat him in his traditional position. But now, India have an option number two for Rohit," he added.

Interestingly, Rohit batted at No. 4 in the practice match against Prime Minister's XI and was dismissed for three. Rahul opened the innings and scored 27, while Shubman Gill contributed 50 at No. 3.

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"Rohit could come in at three" - Cheteshwar Pujara

Rohit Sharma was dismissed for three in the warm-up game against Prime Minister’s XI. (Image Credits: Getty Images)

Senior Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara believes that the visitors should ideally not tinker with the opening combination of Jaiswal and Rahul. He, however, opined that if Rohit wants to open, Rahul should bat at No. 3 and vice versa.

"I think, for some reason if we can carry on with the same batting order, like KL and Yashasvi to open, Rohit could come in at three. If Rohit wants to open, KL should bat at No. 3. Nothing later than that. I think he has to bat top of the order, because it suits his game really well. I hope we don't tinker around with that," Pujara told ESPNcricinfo during a discussion.

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"I would say it's right and from many angles" - Aakash Chopra suggests batting position for Rohit Sharma

Former India opener Aakash Chopra reckons that even though Rohit hasn't batted in the middle-order for a while now, the decision, if taken, would be the right one. Chopra opined there is no reason to separate the pair of Rahul and Jaiswal, who featured in a double-century stand in Perth.

"I would say it's right and from many angles. KL Rahul did well in the last match. There was a 200-run partnership and because of that the Indian team made a huge total in the second innings, and won the match. So why should you change that?," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

The former India opener also pointed out that the Indian captain has been struggling against the new ball of late. As such, the decision to move Rohit down the order could work in Team India's favor.

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"I am sure they will work it out" - Indian legend backs team management to take the right call

Former India all-rounder and 1983 World Cup-winner Mohinder Amarnath did not pick any player to bat at a particular slot. He instead backed the team management to make an appropriate decision.

At the launch of his book 'Fearless: A Memoir', Amarnath said (as quoted by PTI):

"I am sure they will work it, they are in the middle of things. I don't think they require any opinions from anybody, they know how to go about it. They are all experienced players and they understand the situation and the combinations and all that, so I am sure they will work it out."

While Rahul scored a half-century in the second innings, Jaiswal hit 161 after being dismissed for a duck in the first. The duo added 201 runs for the first wicket as India went on to win the contest in Perth comprehensively.