'We need to figure it out': Rohit Sharma refuses to rule out move back up order
Updated . First published at
Indian captain Rohit Sharma has not ruled out a return to the top of the order ahead of the Boxing Day Test.
Sharma slotted into the middle order for the second Test after missing the start of the West Test to stay in India and attend the birth of his second child.
Dropping himself to the middle order, the tourists' opening partnership of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal has stayed the same since the series opener in Perth.
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At the time, Rohit said he was reluctant to break up the partnership between Rahul and Jaiswal which was a main contributor to the country's 295-run victory in the first Test.
KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal combined for a 201-run partnership in Perth. Getty
Speaking to media on Tuesday, Rohit neither confirmed nor denied whether he would remain in the middle order at No.6.
"Let's not worry about that …Who bats where, we need to figure it out ourselves," he said.
"It's not a thing I should be discussing at every press conference, where I'll be batting.
"Whatever gives us the best chance to succeed, we will do that."
Since returning to the side, Rohit has struggled to find form.
The 37-year-old has scored just 19 runs during his three innings at the crease in Adelaide and Brisbane.
Before that, playing in the Prime Minister's XI match earlier this month, Sharma was dismissed for just 3 runs.
Rohit Sharma speaks to media. Mark Brake via Getty Images
In his three innings during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the right-hander has fallen leg before wicket to Scott Boland, been bowled by Pat Cummin and caught behind in a sign he is struggling with his footwork.
With his performances Down Under, Sharma has magnified his lean year in which he has only managed 152 runs in his past 13 innings and reached 50 once.
Sharma declared that his left knee is "fine" after an injury scare saw him take a blow during a net session.
The veteran also failed to rule out selecting a second spinner alongside Ravindra Jadeja because of the hot conditions forecast in Melbourne.
With the series tied 1-1, the first ball of the Boxing Day Test is scheduled for 10:30am AEDT on Thursday, December 26.
