Ricky Ponting has made a valid point because India will have to shuffle a few batting positions when Rohit finally returns.
The predictions and speculations regarding the Border Gavaskar Trophy have been aplenty leading up to the series. Numerous former players and experts have voiced their predictions, with almost every non-Indian comprehensively predicting Australia to win the rubber.
Among them is former Australian captain Ricky Ponting who has predicted 3-1 in Australia’s favour this time on The ICC Review. However, he also feels Rohit Sharma’s return for the second Test will disrupt India since they would be pretty settled in his absence.
“India will be pretty certain of what team they’re going to play (in Perth). They’ve known for a while that Rohit probably wasn’t going to be here. So they’ve probably known what holes they’ve needed to fill. So they’ll be reasonably settled. But I just think there’s potential for more disruption through their campaign with Sharma coming back and whatever else. So I’ll stick with it (his prediction).”
Ponting has made a valid point because India will have to shuffle a few batting positions when Rohit finally returns. Suppose a player replacing Rohit scores runs in the first Test, but he will still have to make way for him or shift to another batting position, which can be hard for a batter to adjust.
The latest update on Rohit Sharma’s availability is that he will join the rest of the team members on Sunday (November 24) in Perth. After so many reports, it is clear that he will miss the first Test but will be available from the second game onwards by joining the Indian team midway through the first Test.
Jasprit Bumrah will lead India in Rohit Sharma’s absence in the Perth Test. Maybe Bumrah and team management always knew the status of Rohit’s case, but the media kept speculating.
KL Rahul might open the innings in the first game with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Meanwhile, India will also miss Shubman Gill, who broke his thumb during the match simulation.
Devdutt Padikkal, who linked with the Indian team after the ‘A’ tour, will probably bat at No.3. A depleted India won’t find it easy to compete against a full-strength Australian side.
For more updates, follow CricXtasy on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Telegram, and YouTube.
