Shubman Gill becomes India's scapegoat to save Rohit Sharma

The cricketing world is abuzz as India is preparing to take on Australia in the second Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, with all eyes on Rohit Sharma's role in the batting order for the Day-Night Test at the Adelaide Oval, starting on December 6.

As the Indian cricket team captain is set to return to sport whites again after missing the Perth Test, everybody has been discussing where Rohit Sharma will fit into an already set batting lineup for the pink-ball Test encounter against Australia at the Adelaide Oval.

Harbhajan Singh backs Rohit Sharma in the top three for a crucial Day-Night Test

Now, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has weighed in on the debate, emphasizing the importance of Rohit Sharma being slotted in the top four. He warned that any move to slot Rohit lower down the order during the Day-Night Test would not be in the Indian cricket team’s best interests.

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A stellar 201-run opening stand between KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal during India’s 295-run win over Australia in the Perth Test is the main reason behind this dilemma.

Their success at the top has left Indian team management and the national selectors with a puzzle to solve: how to accommodate Rohit Sharma without disrupting the team's balance for the second Test.

The possible dropping of Devdutt Padikkal adds further complication, as Shubman Gill is expected to reclaim his number three batting position for the Day-Night Test in Adelaide. And then, Virat Kohli is a lock at No. 4, leaving only one option for Rohit to reclaim his opening slot.

KL Rahul is likely to be pushed down the order for the Adelaide Test

This could mean KL Rahul might find himself pushed down the order, and many are against this idea, as he was looking in great form in the Perth Test as an opener. However, Harbhajan Singh stressed the importance of stability and strength in the top order, saying Rohit Sharma is the best option.

The former Indian spinner also insisted that Rohit’s inclusion as an opener alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal could set a solid foundation, with KL Rahul potentially slotting in at No. 3 to maintain balance.

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However, Harbhajan suggested Rohit can also bat at No. 4 if India wants to continue with Rahul as an opener for the second Test but warned that the Indian skipper should not bat no later than this position.

No. 6 for Rohit wouldn't be in the best interest of the team: Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh was quoted as saying by PTI on the sidelines of the inauguration of the World Tennis Cricket League: “I don't see Rohit coming in at number five or six. Either Rohit will open with Yashasvi Jaiswal, with KL Rahul coming in at number three, or he will bat no later than number three.

Number six for Rohit wouldn't be in the best interest of the team. Your top four in batting order should be the four pillars, and someone like Rohit at the top would only add greater fillip.”

"Team India should open with Rahul and Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma can play at number 3. Shubman Gill will have to wait here. Because Jurel did not score runs, you cannot leave him out and play Gill so low. So he will have to wait now. It is being said that Gill will be played but I believe that give Jurel a chance and keep Gill out for now," said Harbhajan Singh in an exclusive conversation with Sports Tak.

Notably, Rohit Sharma mostly batted in the middle and lower order in Test cricket before 2019, but he was struggling to secure a regular spot despite excelling in white-ball cricket.

His transformation began as an opener during the South Africa series in 2019, where he smashed 529 runs in four innings. Since then, the right-handed batter has amassed 2685 runs at an average of 44.01 with nine centuries as an opener.