Ravi Shastri offers solution to Rohit Sharma conundrum as part of India's batting order

After a sizzling display in the second innings at Perth, India will have a major conundrum with their batting order as two of their key batting options are ready to get back to action in Adelaide. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill who weren’t a part of the first Test are back in the squad. Gautam Gambhir will have to find a way to fit in the two big names, especially after the fearless knocks by Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul in Perth.

Former Indian coach, Ravi Shastri who spearheaded the team in the last iteration of the series, pointed out that India will need the experience of Rohit Sharma. Somehow or the other, India will have to manage to get the Indian captain back in the mix irrespective of India’s dominion in Perth. Talking in the ICC Review, Shastri said that slotting Rohit in the middle-order might also be a viable option because the Indian skipper knows how to whack the ball around at any given batting position.

Shastri said, “It’s a fantastic boost because there’s no doubting his quality. He’s very experienced. You need that experience in the middle order. It’s the right mix of experience and youth in the setup, so whether he opens the batting or goes in the middle order, the choice is his.”

Stating further, he added, “He’s experienced enough to see where he’s most dangerous when it comes to Australia. Where would Australia not like to see him? That’s the position he should choose. And he’s the leader of the pack, so he can afford to do that.”

Adding another reason about why Rohit Sharma should be batting down the order, Shastri pinpointed the return of KL Rahul to form. Shastri said, “I think he (Rahul) should carry on (opening) because Rohit has not had much time since he’s come here (Australia). Very quickly he had to play that Prime Minister’s XI game. But I would say carry on with the same setup. He [Rohit] can bat at five or six.”

He then shifted his focus to Shubman Gill, stating, “The fact that Shubman Gill is fit as well makes it a very strong Indian side. I would say in the last 10-15 years, of all the sides that have come out to Australia, you get the feeling that this is one of the strongest batting line-ups simply because of the experience.”

Shastri also affirmed the fact that by no means should India touch their bowling order, in fact, try and get an additional option in, stating, “You have Shubman fit, bats at three. Rohit’s fit, he comes back and plays instead of (Devdutt) Padikkal and (Dhruv) Jurel. But the bowling, I won't touch. I'll keep it the same because you'd rather have the same line-up.”

He continued, “Only thing that you must remember, this is a pink-ball Test. I know Harshit Rana did very well in that Test match, but the pink ball with extra lacquer, it's a little harder, might seam around a bit and swing. [That’s] where I think Akash Deep should be in the mix.”

Shastri concluded, “Now when you reach the ground, you see the conditions, [whether] you opt for extra bounce and pace, that’s your choice. But I’d definitely keep him in that 12 and keep an eye on him.”