IND vs AUS: Harbhajan Singh Backs Rohit Sharma to Bat in Top Three in Adelaide Test, Prefers Dhruv Jurel over Shubman Gill in Playing 11

New Delhi, Dec 2: Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has weighed in on the batting line-up for the second Test against Australia, set to take place at the Adelaide Oval.

According to Harbhajan, skipper Rohit Sharma should either open or bat at number three, dismissing any possibility of the veteran slotting into the middle order in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Speaking at the inauguration of the World Tennis Cricket League in New Delhi, Harbhajan emphasised the importance of Rohit's position in the batting order. "I don't see Rohit coming in at number five or six. Either Rohit will open with Yashasvi Jaiswal, with KL Rahul coming in at number three, or he will bat no later than number three," Harbhajan remarked.

Top-Order Stability Key for India

India's top order delivered a stellar performance in the Perth Test, with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal sharing a record-breaking 201-run opening stand. Their efforts laid the foundation for India's commanding 295-run victory. Harbhajan underscored that maintaining stability at the top is crucial.

"Your top four in the batting order should be the four pillars," Harbhajan said. "Someone like Rohit at the top would only add greater fillip. Number six for Rohit wouldn't be in the team's best interest."

IND vs AUS: Pink Ball Challenge Awaits Visitors

The second Test, a pink-ball encounter, begins on Friday in Adelaide. The day-night format presents unique challenges, and Harbhajan's comments indicate that India will aim to keep its best batters in the top three positions to tackle Australia's formidable pace attack under lights.

Washington Sundar vs Ashwin Debate

Harbhajan also weighed in on the team's bold decision to play Washington Sundar over seasoned spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in Perth. "Washington showed during the New Zealand series that he is ready to take over the mantle from Ashwin in coming days," he noted.

When asked if Ashwin's age was a factor, Harbhajan dismissed the notion that 38 was too old for international cricket. "He is not 58. But after so many years, the shoulders do experience fatigue, so the zip can just be a bit less," he explained.

Dhruv Jurel should get preference over Shubman Gill

While speaking to Sports Tak on Shubman Gill's comeback and Team India's batting combination in the middle-order, the Turbanator reckoned, Gill has to wait and Dhruv Jurel has done nothing wrong to be dropped to make way for the top-order batter.

"I believe the opening line-up shouldn't be tampered with and Rohit should bat at No.3 and in that case, Gill should wait. You have brought Dhruv Jurel into the side for middle-order and he should get a preference," Harbhajan added.