Former South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs has shared a tactical suggestion for Team India ahead of the crucial Boxing Day Test of the ongoing 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia starting on December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground ( MCG).
Herschelle Gibbs believes Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is better suited to the top order and can make a significant impact by returning to his preferred opening role in the all-important trial of the ongoing 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia.
Herschelle Gibbs calls for Rohit Sharma to return to his preferred position
Underscoring the importance of the opener in the must-win Boxing Day Test for India, Gibbs pointed out that Rohit has built his reputation and scored most of his runs in Test cricket as an opener.
With the five-match Test series hanging in the balance at 1-1, the Proteas star suggested Rohit could regain top order to bolster India's batting line-up for the crucial fourth Test.
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Herschelle Gibbs was quoted by InsideSport as saying, “Well, look, I think he's more comfortable opening than batting in the middle order. I think if you had to ask him that question, to be honest, I think Rohit would say yes, he would want to open. And the opening is such an important part, especially in must-win games and in a series, you know, as big as this one. You know, he made his runs as an opener. I would like to exchange it and ask it back to open.”
Herschelle Gibbs hails KL Rahul but pitches active change to revive India's batting
However, Gibbs also praised KL Rahul's performance in the ongoing Test series, and even pointed out that the Karnataka batsman looked more comfortable than most batsmen against Australia, but still, he believes he should make way for experienced openness.
Moreover, the former South African batsman proposed a strategic shuffle in India's top order, suggesting a change in batting positions between Rohit and another player, keeping in mind the preferences of KL Rahul, considering his batting performances until now in BGT 2024-25.
For this deciding encounter in the Test series, Herschelle Gibbs has recommended India open with the dynamic duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma as he believes their partnership could provide the stability and momentum the tourists need to secure a lead in BGT 2024-25.
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India should open with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharm at the MCG: Herschelle Gibbs
With the Boxing Day Test set to begin on December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), all eyes will be on India's batting order and Gibbs strongly believes Rohit will be more comfortable as an opener and that will be. key for India vs Australia.
Gibbs signed off by saying, “I think KL Rahul, you know, is really great; he was really good and looked a lot more comfortable than any of the other batsmen in this series so far. So I guess you should ask him where KL would like to bat and make a trade. I think for such an important Test match, India should open with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma.”
Notably, Rohit Sharma has struggled for runs in the ongoing Test series. He missed the Perth Test due to the birth of his second child and then returned to bat at No.6 and has so far managed just 19 runs in three innings in the ongoing 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.