Former South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs has shared a tactical suggestion for Team India ahead of the crucial Boxing Day Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia, starting on December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Herschelle Gibbs believes that Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is better suited to the top order, and he can make a significant impact by returning to his preferred role as an opener in the very important Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia.
Herschelle Gibbs calls for Rohit Sharma’s return to his preferred position
Highlighting the importance of opening in the must-win Boxing Day Test for India, Gibbs has pointed out that Rohit has built his reputation and scored the bulk 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 that Rohit could reclaim the top order to strengthen India’s batting lineup for the crucial fourth Test.
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Herschelle Gibbs was quoted as saying by InsideSport, “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 like to open. And opening is such an important part, especially in must-win games and in a series, you know, as big as this. You know, he’s made his runs as an opener. I would love switching him and asking back to open.”
Herschelle Gibbs hails KL Rahul but proposes ta actical shift to revive India’s batting
However, Gibbs also praised KL Rahul’s performance in the ongoing Test series as an opener, and he even emphasized that the Karnataka batter has looked more comfortable than most batters against Australia, but still, he feels he should make way for the seasoned opener.
Furthermore, the former South African batter proposed a strategic shuffling in India’s top order, suggesting a swap in batting positions between Rohit and another player, keeping KL Rahul’s preferences in mind, given his batting performance so far in the BGT 2024-25.
For this Test series-deciding encounter, Herschelle Gibbs recommended India open with the dynamic duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma, as he believes that their partnership could provide the stability and momentum the tourists needed to secure a lead in the BGT 2024-25.
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India should open with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharm at the MCG: Herschelle Gibbs
As the Boxing Day Test is set to get underway on December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), all eyes will be on India’s batting order, and Gibbs strongly believes that Rohit will be more comfortable as an opener, and that will be key for India against Australia.
Gibbs signed off by saying, “I think KL Rahul, you know, he’s really great; he’s been really good and looked a lot more comfortable than any of the other batters in this series so far. So, I think you should ask him where KL would like to bat and make a swap. I think for such an important Test match, India should open with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma.”
Notably, Rohit Sharma has been struggling 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 managed only 19 runs in three innings so far in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
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