Ganguly on India’s batting order in Australia: Former India captain has batted for Rohit Sharma to be played at No. 6.
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Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has lent his support behind India’s vice-captain and opening batsman in limited-over formats Rohit Sharma, saying that the 31-year old right-hand batsman should be given a go at No. 6 in the imminent Test matches against Australia.
With Hardik Pandya injured, India currently have two options – a) to play a specialist batsman (on one out Hanuma Vihari or Rohit Sharma) at No. 6, b) to play five specialist bowlers with wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant at No. 6.
Ganguly was of the opinion that India should take field with the first option in the first Test at Adelaide on December 6. He cited Sharma’s ‘current form’ as the reason behind the same.
Acknowledging the same concern, Ganguly mentioned that it is a dilemma which most modern-day captains face. “With Hardik Pandya out injured, the team management faces a tricky decision – whether to play six specialist batsmen (apart from Rishabh Pant) and four frontline bowlers or go in with five specialists in each department. It’s a dilemma that most modern-day captains face,” Ganguly was quoted as saying to Times Now.
“If you ask me, I would bat Rohit at No. 6 and go in with three pacers and one spinner. The simple logic is that Rohit is batting at his best and you don’t leave out a batsman of his calibre when he is in such good nick. Moreover, Rohit is very strong square of the wicket which is a prerequisite for success on Australian pitches,” Ganguly added.
It is worth mentioning that one of the main reasons behind Sharma’s selection is his strong back-foot game, something which is suited to the Australian conditions.
Having said that, if Sharma is preferred ahead of Vihari, it would be unfair on the rookie batsman who hasn’t got another chance post scoring a gritty half-century on Test debut against England at The Oval.
Sharma last played a Test for India during India’s tour of South Africa earlier this year. In the 14 Test matches which Sharma has played at No. 6, he has scored 931 runs at an average of 58.18 and a strike rate of 61.69, his best numbers (at a batting position) in Test cricket.
That being said, Sharma has a mediocre Test record in Australia. In three matches, he has scored 173 runs at an average of 28.83 and a strike rate of 44.70.
Read some of the latest Twitter reactions on Sharma below:
