December 25, 2024: Rohit Sharma is set to return to his natural role as an opener for India in the highly anticipated fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), starting on Thursday, December 26. Reports suggest that KL Rahul, who has been in excellent form as an opener during this series, will be moved to the number three position. This shift in the batting order is likely a strategic move to strengthen India’s top order in a crucial Test match that could decide the series.
KL Rahul has been in great touch throughout the series, amassing 235 runs in six innings at an average of 47.00, with two fifties and a best score of 84. His ability to see off the new ball and his patient approach to batting make him a solid candidate for the number three slot. Moving Rahul to three would not only balance the top order but also allow Rohit, one of India’s most successful openers in recent years, to regain his preferred spot.
Rohit’s recent struggles in the middle order, particularly after returning from injury in the Adelaide pink-ball Test, have been notable. Despite his usual success as an opener, where he averages 44.01 in 42 Tests, Rohit has had a tough time batting lower down the order. In the ongoing Test season, he has managed just 152 runs in seven games at a dismal average of 11.69. His last significant contribution came in January 2023 with a score of 131, but his form has since dipped.
As an opener, however, Rohit has been one of India’s most prolific batsmen in recent years, with 2,685 runs in 64 innings, including nine centuries and eight fifties. His consistency at the top has been especially evident in the ICC World Test Championship, where he is India’s top scorer with 2,704 runs at an average of 42.25.
The upcoming Boxing Day Test holds significant importance, with the series tied 1-1. Both teams will be looking to gain a crucial lead in the series, which could have an impact on their qualification for the ICC World Test Championship final. India’s decision to move Rahul to number three and bring Rohit back as an opener could be the key to stabilizing their batting order and ensuring a competitive total against Australia’s formidable bowling attack, led by Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.
Australia XI for the Boxing Day Test:
- Usman Khawaja
- Sam Konstas
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Travis Head
- Mitch Marsh
- Alex Carey (wk)
- Pat Cummins (c)
- Mitchell Starc
- Nathan Lyon
- Scott Boland
India’s Squad for the Fourth and Fifth Tests:
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Jasprit Bumrah (VC)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Abhimanyu Easwaran
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- KL Rahul
- Rishabh Pant (WK)
- Sarfaraz Khan
- Dhruv Jurel (WK)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Mohd. Siraj
- Akash Deep
- Prasidh Krishna
- Harshit Rana
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Washington Sundar
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Tanush Kotian
With the stakes high and the series hanging in balance, both teams will be eager to make a mark at the iconic MCG, setting the stage for an exciting contest in the final two Tests.
