By Jessica Murdock
Ganesh’s Strong Warning Against Rohit Sharma Opening
As India prepares for the crucial third Test against Australia at the Gabba, former Indian pacer Dodda Ganesh has issued a stern warning against the idea of Rohit Sharma opening the batting. In a blunt tweet, Ganesh likened the move to sending “a lamb to the slaughterhouse,” suggesting it would be a poor decision given Sharma’s current form and the challenging conditions at the Gabba.
“Rohit Sharma is already short of confidence and runs. Experts urging him to open at Gabba is foolhardy, to say the least. The series is not being played in the sub-continent where he can throw his bat and get some runs. It will be lamb to the slaughterhouse if he opens,” Ganesh tweeted, emphasizing the daunting task of batting in Australian conditions.
Rohit’s Struggles and Underwhelming Track Record in SENA Countries
Rohit Sharma, who returned from paternity leave for the second Test, has struggled to find form in the ongoing series. His scores of 3 and 6 in Adelaide have only added to concerns over his confidence. Despite mounting calls for him to return to the opening slot, Rohit’s track record in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries has been far from impressive. Across 46 innings in these conditions, he averages below 30. His average improves slightly to 37.8 as an opener, thanks mainly to his exceptional performance in the 2021 England series, where he scored a career-defining 127 at The Oval.
.
The Gabba’s Unique Challenges
While Rohit Sharma has excelled as an opener in certain conditions, the Gabba presents a different challenge. Known for its bounce and carry, Australian pitches require a specific approach. Minor technical flaws could be exploited by the potent Australian attack, which includes fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. Ganesh’s warning underscores the need for a cautious approach, especially when confidence is low.
Support for Rohit Sharma to Open from Shastri and Gavaskar
Despite Ganesh’s warning, there are others who support the idea of Rohit Sharma opening the batting. Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri believes that Rohit’s aggressive and expressive brand of cricket is best suited to the opening role. “That’s where he can be aggressive and expressive. Just thought he was a little too subdued, just seeing his body language,” Shastri said on Star Sports.
Legendary Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar also backed the idea, asserting that Rohit should return to his regular opening position. “He should return to his regular spot,” Gavaskar told Sports Tak, adding that KL Rahul had only opened in the first Test due to Rohit’s absence.
The Big Decision for India’s Management
As the third Test at the Gabba looms, India’s management faces a critical decision. Should Rohit Sharma return to the opening slot, or should he continue batting in the middle order, where he could provide stability to the lineup? With his form and confidence key factors in India’s strategy, the team must carefully weigh their options before making a final call.
