"Let’s not worry about that” - Rohit Sharma opens up on his batting position for BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Team India skipper Rohit Sharma has dismissed the question about his batting position for the upcoming Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne, starting December 26. The five-match Border-Gavaskar series is currently tied at 1-1.

Rohit batted at No. 6 in the previous two Tests after missing the series opener in Perth to enable continuity with the opening combination of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, the skipper's dismal Test form continued, as he managed only 19 runs in three innings at an average of 6.33.

When asked about his batting position for the Melbourne Test at the press conference, Rohit said (as quoted by Sports Express):

"Let's not worry about that. I think 'who bats where?' is something that we need to figure out within ourselves. It's not something I should be discussing at every press conference. Whatever it takes for our team to look good or gives the best chance to succeed, we will do that."

Rahul and Jaiswal became the first-ever Indian opening pair to put on a double-century stand in a Test Down Under in the opening game in Perth, resulting in Rohit's decision to bat at No. 6.

The Indian skipper had not batted at the top since the 2018-19 Australian tour. Rohit has been in horrific Test form, averaging under 12 in his last seven outings, with a lone half-century.

"He understands his batting more than any of us" - Rohit Sharma on Yashasvi Jaiswal

India Men's Test Squad Training Session - Source: Getty

Rohit Sharma was not worried about Yashasvi Jaiswal's slight dip in form since the century in the second innings of the first Test in Perth.

Jaiswal's 161 helped India win the Perth Test by 295 runs but the left-handed opener has struggled with the willow since. He has scored only 32 runs in the next four innings at an average of 10.66.

"Jaiswal, he's coming here for first time and shown what he's capable of. When you have a guy like him you want to let him be. He understands his batting more than any of us. All you want to do is encourage more and more to ensure he plays freely. They ( Australia) have four seamers and one offie they are the ones who play consistent Cricket. It is just about understanding what they usually do and just go out there doing their thing," Rohit said in the same press conference.

Despite the low scores in the last two Tests, Jaiswal boasts impressive overall numbers in the red-ball format. The 22-year-old has scored 1,600 runs in 17 matches at a stellar average of 53.33, including four centuries and eight half-centuries.