Is Rohit Sharma a better No. 6 option than the first match against Australia? The report makes a startling claim

Indian cricket’s talking heads are encouraging him to return for the opener, but Rohit Sharma may simply avoid being influenced by the proverbial outside noise and stick to number six for at least the third Test against Australia in Brisbane starting this weekend. Rohit, who had a paternity break during the first Test and scored 3 and 6 on his return during the Pink Ball game, is facing calls to move him back to the top of the batting order in place of KL. Rahul, who also had an indifferent performance in Adelaide after his heroics in Perth. If we look at Rohit’s stats in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia), across all positions, in 46 completed innings, he averages just under 30, while in 20 innings as an opener, he averages 37.8 thanks in large part to a successful English summer 2021.

When PTI spoke to a BCCI Tier 3 coach, who previously worked at the National Cricket Academy, about the technical aspects of the cutthroat’s game, he analyzed Rohit’s technique to explain why opening might not be the best option for the Indian captain at the moment.

“Rohit Sharma had very limited footwork throughout his career, even when he was in his prime. Obviously, at 37-and-a-half years old, the reflexes have slowed down and he is a little late in picking his length,” a qualified batting coach told PTI. on condition of anonymity.

“The same Rohit will look very different in the IPL, where you can still see him scoring 35-70 balls for Mumbai Indians and the opposition have at least a couple of home bowlers averaging 130,” he added.

But then why is No. 6 better for Rohit in the third Test? The coach has a technical answer to this.

“If you look at Rohit’s dismissals even in India, he is mostly straightened out. The reason is that his stride on the front leg becomes shorter as he ages. For example, if you have a pronounced front leg side, say three feet. , you can cut the angle of deviation of the load from the surface.

“But if your stride is only a foot and a quarter, you’re allowing the same pitch to shape or change. So, a world-class bowler will attack both your inside and outside edges,” the coach, who is also a former opener, explained.

He then explained why Rohit would be better off playing at number 6 at the Gabba.

“Honestly, if your stride is shorter and your reflexes are weakened, the Pink Kookaburra will make it even more difficult for you to survive. I think CL said before the game that she was moving a lot faster than the Red Kookaburra and she was sliding. from the surface.

“With his current footwork, the Red Kookaburra will again dart around and seam the Gabba if he gets open. If he comes in at number 6, there’s every chance it will be either an old or semi-old Kookaburra with a suppressed seam and that won’t do much.

“He can play his normal offensive game and make quick runs. If he comes when the second new ball is taken, it means (Mitchell) Starc and (Pat) Cummins have both bowled 25-odd overs,” he clarified his point.

But then Rohit had enough success for England during the 2021 tour when he scored his only Test hundred in the SENA country – 127 at the Oval. If you look at his performance in this series, you can see that the front foot stride covering the swing and the seam movement were more pronounced than what has been seen in the last few Tests.

Also, in England the ball is deflected at a higher angle compared to Australia and sometimes even with a shorter stride you can just go wide and miss.

Former national selector Devang Gandhi offered a clearer explanation.

“Just compare the position of Rohit and Virat Kohli. Rohit has a wider stance and his stride will not be big. Virat has a narrow stance and hence his front foot stride is as pronounced as you can see.

“As far as Rohit’s position is concerned, number 6 is the right decision of the team management. There is not enough data in the SENA countries to suggest he has had huge success as a newcomer,” he said.

Earlier, former coach Ravi Shastri said that he wants Rohit to be at the top as he looks too subdued in the middle order.

“That’s why I want him to be on top. This is where he can be aggressive and expressive. I just thought he was too reserved just by seeing his body language,” Shastri told Star Sports.

Sunil Gavaskar echoed this sentiment.

“The fact that he didn’t make runs, I don’t think there was enough on the field. I just wanted to see him more involved and a little more animated,” Shastri said.

“He should go back to his usual place. We have to remember why Rahul opened the game. He did this because Rohit Sharma could not play in the first Test,” Gavaskar said on Sports Tak.