Ponting thinks Rohit Sharma must return to opener role
ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting believes India captain Rohit Sharma is best served at the top of the batting order and should return to his preferred position during the third Test against Australia in Brisbane.
The return of Rohit in the Indian line-up for the Adelaide Test involved the seasoned opener slotting himself in the middle-order rather than at his usual opening slot, but Ponting wasn’t a fan of the move.
Rohit confirmed the decision was taken keeping in mind the successful 201-run opening stand between Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul that paved the way for India’s historic triumph during the first Test of the series in Perth.
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There was hesitation for Rohit and team management to break apart a working combination. And given Rohit has batted at fourth-drop in 25 innings prior to his twin Adelaide outings, India believed there was just cause to slot him into the middle-order.
Ponting discussed the plight of Rohit when speaking with host Sanjana Ganesan on the most recent episode of The ICC Review and the Australian said the Indian skipper should be batting where he’s most comfortable.
“I felt that if (Rohit) Sharma was coming back into the side, he should have gone straight back up to the top and opened the batting,” Ponting said.
“That's how I felt about it. And I know that KL and Jaiswal had a 200-run partnership in Perth and they had played well, but he's (Rohit) your captain. He's one of your most experienced players.
“You want to be sending him out at the top in his normal role. So that's something they might think about. They might think about Rohit going back to the top for Brisbane.”
Rohit, who arrived to bat at No.6 for India in the pink-ball Test, scored three and six runs across the two innings as Australia emerged triumphant by a 10-wicket margin.
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The 37-year-old has been under the scanner for his recent returns with the bat in the longest format. In his last 12 Test innings, 10 of which came during India’s home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, Rohit has compiled 142 runs, averaging 11.83.
Asked if Rohit’s form was a cause of worry for both he and the team, Ponting provided mitigating factors.
WATCH: Ricky Ponting weighs in on recent struggles of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma | ICC Review
Ricky Ponting weighs in on the recent struggles of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma | ICC Review
“It's like, you just know within yourself. You don't need anybody to tell you if you're making runs or not, or if you're batting well or not. You know deep down inside as well,” Ponting said.
“Rohit had an extended break before that Test match, and it wasn't the easiest wicket to bat on as well by the way, I think that needs to be said. Most guys struggled to make runs on that wicket.
“Whether worried is the right word…if it's just concern or just a little bit anxious about making runs next time you bat. But if I was India and him, I'd be trying to find a way to make it as comfortable as possible.
“And he's opened the batting for such a long period of time. I would get him straight back up there again and try to find a slot somewhere down the order for KL (Rahul).
“That's what I would do. Because I think that's what he (Rohit) would prefer.”
The third Test begins in Brisbane on Saturday, 14 December.