Should KL Rahul make way for Rohit Sharma at the top? Know Shastri`s opinion

Updated On: 22 December, 2024 04:56 PM IST | Sujay Shivalkar

Ahead of the fourth and fifth Test matches against Australia, should in-form batsman KL Rahul leave the opening slot vacant for traditional opener Rohit Sharma? Know what former Team India coach Ravi Shastri thinks (Pic: File Pic)

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<p>With skipper Rohit Sharma struggling to decipher a way to score runs in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former India coach <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/hes-in-the-form-of-his-life-ravi-shastri-praises-this-batsman-23451673" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ravi Shastri</strong></a> says the stylish batter should go in with a clear mindset, change his tactics, and attack the bowlers</p>

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With skipper Rohit Sharma struggling to decipher a way to score runs in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former India coach Ravi Shastri says the stylish batter should go in with a clear mindset, change his tactics, and attack the bowlers

<p><a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/knowing-you-are-beside-me-rohit-sharma-pens-loving-birthday-note-for-wife-ritika-sajdeh-23451210" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rohit Sharma</strong></a> missed the opening Test Down Under to be with his family for the birth of his second child. He was expected to reclaim the opener`s spot but KL Rahul`s impressive 77 in India`s win at Perth prompted a rejig of the batting order with Rohit moving down to No.6</p>

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Rohit Sharma missed the opening Test Down Under to be with his family for the birth of his second child. He was expected to reclaim the opener`s spot but KL Rahul`s impressive 77 in India`s win at Perth prompted a rejig of the batting order with Rohit moving down to No.6

<p>The change though has not been fruitful for Rohit as he has managed 10, 3 and 6 runs in the last three innings, while <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/kl-rahul-attended-to-by-physio-after-getting-hit-on-hand-23451658" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>KL Rahul</strong></a> has encashed on the opportunity by notching up a fine 84 in the first innings at Brisbane in the third Test</p>

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The change though has not been fruitful for Rohit as he has managed 10, 3 and 6 runs in the last three innings, while KL Rahul has encashed on the opportunity by notching up a fine 84 in the first innings at Brisbane in the third Test

<p>"I would like to see Rohit Sharma, his tactics change a bit because he can still be extremely dangerous at that number (six)," Shastri opined on <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/champions-trophy-row-ends-india-to-play-its-matches-at-neutral-venue-23450338" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ICC</strong></a> Review</p>

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"I would like to see Rohit Sharma, his tactics change a bit because he can still be extremely dangerous at that number (six)," Shastri opined on ICC Review

<p>"I think that is his best way of not just coming back into form, winning a game for India as well. Because that number is a crucial number. The best No.6s in the world are the guys who know how to have the ability to counter-attack. They read the situation well. Yes, if a lot of wickets have fallen, maybe for a little while. You might have to be circumspect, but the intent has to be far sooner than later</p>

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"I think that is his best way of not just coming back into form, winning a game for India as well. Because that number is a crucial number. The best No.6s in the world are the guys who know how to have the ability to counter-attack. They read the situation well. Yes, if a lot of wickets have fallen, maybe for a little while. You might have to be circumspect, but the intent has to be far sooner than later

<p>Rohit Sharma made his <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/mum-was-in-tears-i-was-trying-not-to-cry-23451631" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Test</strong></a> debut in 2013 at the No. 6 position, marking the occasion with a century</p>

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Rohit Sharma made his Test debut in 2013 at the No. 6 position, marking the occasion with a century

<p>Shastri backed KL Rahul to retain the opener`s slot for <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/t20i-smriti-mandhan-led-india-dominate-west-indies-by-2-1-series-win-23451632" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India</strong></a> in the fourth Test following his two half-centuries so far in the five-Test series</p>

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Shastri backed KL Rahul to retain the opener`s slot for India in the fourth Test following his two half-centuries so far in the five-Test series

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Should KL Rahul make way for Rohit Sharma at the top? Know Shastri`s opinion

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Bliss by the beach