Reports: Rohit Sharma likely to open in Boxing Day Test

Reports- Rohit Sharma likely to open in Boxing Day Test (Photo Source: Twitter/X)

Indian Captain Rohit Sharma could be in line to reunite with Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top of the order in the highly-anticipated Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The legendary batter missed the first Test as he was on paternity leave. He came back into the playing XI in the second Test but batted in the middle-order. This move allowed KL Rahul and Yashasvi to continue at the top after their match-winning 201-run opening partnership in the first Test.

However, according to reports, it seems that Rohit’s return as an opener is imminent. If the 37-year-old joins Yashasvi at the top, this could result in Rahul batting at No. 3. However, this will put Shubman Gill’s position in the side in serious threat. The Punjab batter looked good in the second Test but couldn’t convert his starts into substantial scores.

Speaking to the media in the pre-match press conference, Rohit Sharma didn’t spill the beans as far as India’s batting lineup at MCG is concerned. This was a pretty calculated approach from the Nagpur-born, unlike his straight talk ahead of the Adelaide Test, where he confirmed that he would bat in the middle-order.

“Let’s not worry about who bats where. Something that we need to figure and not something I would be discussing here. We will do what is best for the team,” Rohit had said on Tuesday, December 24.

Will India play an extra spinner at MCG?

According to MCG curator Matt Page, there won’t be much turn on offer. However, the harsh conditions in the afternoon may wear out the pitch considerably and spinners might come into play as the match goes on. While Pat Cummins expects Nathan Lyon to play a key role, Rohit remained tight-lipped when asked about the possibility of going in with an extra spinner.

Also Read: Aakash Chopra points out chink in Yashasvi Jaiswal’s armour

“Whatever we have to do to make the best possible XI in these conditions, we will do that — whether that is playing an extra spinner or not,” Rohit said.