Indian national cricket team bowling legend Harbhajan Singh has backed captain Rohit Sharma to continue as the team’s top-order batsman in Test cricket.

Harbhajan Singh has opined that Rohit Sharma should not move to the middle order and should continue as an opener or take up the No. 3 position in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

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KL Rahul opened with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the Perth Test

The Indian captain missed the first match of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Team Australia due to the birth of his second child.

In his absence, Jasprit Bumrah led the team in the Perth Test with KL Rahul partnering Yashasvi Jaiswal as opener. Rahul, who was under pressure heading into the match, surprised everyone with his excellent performance with the bat.

Rahul batted exceptionally well and scored 26 runs off 74 balls in the first innings before being controversially dropped. In the second innings, he looked even better and scored 77 runs off 176 balls while playing a sensational 201-run stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal.

KL Rahul’s performance led to calls for him to continue as the team’s opener, especially as the Indian captain was out of form for his side.

Rohit Sharma batted at No. 4 for India against Australia Prime Minister’s XI

Rohit Sharma joined the team midway through the Perth Test and then featured in the pink-ball one-day match against the Australian Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra.

In India’s team sheet for the IND vs PM XI clash, Rohit Sharma was listed as the No. 5 batsman in the lineup behind KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli.

The fact that Rohit was not named the opener was an indication that a big change in the batting order was coming. As India’s innings began in Canberra, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal once again opened the innings and did a great job.

The duo complimented each other very well and seemed to be in the middle, especially Rahul. Shubman Gill, returning from a thumb injury, batted at No. 3, and after him came Rohit Sharma at No. 4, which is Virat Kohli’s place in the Test team. Notably, Kohli did not play the tour match and decided to practice on the sidelines with Jasprit Bumrah.

Meanwhile, Rohit initially looked decent at middle but got out while chasing a fifth ball. He managed to register only 3 runs off 11 balls.

I don’t see Rohit reaching number five or six – Harbhajan Singh

With speculations of Rohit Sharma batting at number 5 or 6 in the next four Test matches against Australia intensifying, Harbhajan Singh shared his views on the matter.

Speaking to PTI, Harbhajan said that Rohit should continue as the top-order batsman and moving to the middle order would not be best for the team.

“I don’t see Rohit at number five or six. Either Rohit will open with Yashasvi Jaiswal, with KL Rahul at number three, or he will bat at number three at the latest,” Harbhajan Singh told PTI on the sidelines. of the inauguration of the World Tennis League.

“Number six for Rohit would not be the best for the team. The top four in the batting order should be the four pillars and someone like Rohit at the top would only add further impetus,” added Harbhajan Singh.