Don’t write off champions: Nathan Lyon on Kohli’s recent batting slump
The Australian team must be hoping to take advantage of Virat Kohli’s prolonged batting slump when the two sides clash in the five-Test series for the Border-Gavaskar trophy
Amid the ongoing debate if India should play Rohit Sharma or Ajinkya Rahane in the middle-order, former India captain Sourav Ganguly has suggested India skipper Virat Kohli to play Rohit as an opener in Tests.
Notably, Rohit bats in the middle-order in the longer format of the game.
Ganguly, during his reign of captaincy, played a major role in making middle-order batsman Virender Sehwag one of India’s best Test openers. And now the 47-year-old veteran wants current captain Kohli to try the same trick with limited-overs deputy Rohit Sharma.
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“It’s a new beginning for Virat Kohli and his boys. Not only is this a fresh start after the wins in the T20 and ODI series, they kick-start India’s campaign in the ICC Test Championship, an effort by the authorities of the game to create that extra competitive punch in the best format of the game. Why is Test cricket still considered to be the best format of the game? One needs to cast a glance at the ongoing Ashes series to clear all doubts,” Ganguly wrote in his column for Times of India.
Ganguly feels that it is important to let Rohit carry forward his good form that saw the batsman rule the roost during the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales.
“But, for India the major decision is whether they want to play Rohit or Rahane. It was a similar situation in South Africa. My suggestion would be to let Rohit carry on his good form from the World Cup and settle in the opener’s slot while Rahane continues his good work of lending stability to the middle-order,” Ganguly said.
(With inputs from IANS)
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