"I want Rohit Sharma to score runs" - Irfan Pathan names his opening combination for India for 2nd innings of BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Irfan Pathan wants Rohit Sharma to be back among the runs in India's second innings of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 fourth Test. However, the former India all-rounder feels the visitors might be best served if KL Rahul opens the batting with Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Australia ended Day 4 (Sunday, December 29) of the fourth Test against India in Melbourne at 228/9 in their second innings. The game is intriguingly poised, with the hosts having a 333-run lead heading into the final day.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Pathan was asked whether Rohit should continue to open or India should change their batting order.

"I want Rohit Sharma to score runs because there is a lot of pressure on him. He has been a fantastic player for the Indian team and is an incredible captain as well. He is currently not in form. So I definitely want him to score runs in whichever position he comes," he responded.

Pathan pointed out that Rahul has been the best opener in the ongoing BGT and should partner Jaiswal at the top of the order.

"If I was sitting there and had to decide who should open, I have been saying this from the first innings and will say now also - KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. KL Rahul has looked your best opener. He has been better than Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas as well," he observed.

KL Rahul opened in the first three Tests against Australia, aggregating 235 runs at an average of 47.00 in six innings. However, he was demoted to No. 3 in the first innings of the Melbourne Test. The right-hander scored 24 runs before being bowled by a virtually unplayable Pat Cummins delivery.

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"Rohit Sharma is struggling slightly at the moment" - Irfan Pathan

Rohit Sharma has a top score of 10 in four innings in BGT 2024-25. [P/C: Getty]

In the same discussion, Irfan Pathan opined that Rohit Sharma will likely continue to open despite his recent struggles.

"He (Rahul) has left deliveries consistently and you will need that at the start. Rohit Sharma is struggling slightly at the moment. It seems he might open again because he came to open in the first innings as it is not that easy to make drastic changes," he said.

However, the cricketer-turned-commentator hopes and wishes that the Indian captain moves himself to No. 3.

"However, we have said many times that Rohit Sharma catches the pulse. I hope and wish that he comes at No. 3 and KL Rahul opens with Yashasvi Jaiswal," Pathan observed.

Rohit Sharma has aggregated 22 runs at a dismal average of 5.50 in four innings in BGT 2024-25. He managed only three runs as an opener in India's first innings of the ongoing Test before being caught by Scott Boland at mid-on while attempting an ungainly shot off Pat Cummins.