Fri Dec 06 15:04:18 UTC 2024: ## Rohit Sharma Returns to Middle Order for Adelaide Test
**Adelaide, Australia –** Indian captain Rohit Sharma will bat in the middle order for the second Test against Australia in Adelaide, despite his recent struggles. This decision allows the successful opening partnership of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who put on a historic double-century stand in Perth, to continue.
Sharma, known for his selfless approach, cited Rahul and Jaiswal’s outstanding performance as the reason for the change. While he acknowledged his own poor form in recent home Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand (133 runs in 10 innings, averaging 13.30), he believes the current opening pair deserves to retain their positions. He expressed confidence that batting lower in the order will allow him to regain form against the older, softer ball.
Historically, Sharma has enjoyed success in the middle order, boasting an average of 43.35 in 41 innings at numbers five and six. However, since becoming an opener in 2019, he’s become one of India’s highest Test run-scorers.
Both teams enter the pink-ball Test with something to prove. Australia aims to rebound from a crushing 295-run defeat in Perth, while India seeks to erase the memory of their disastrous 36 all out in the 2020 Adelaide pink-ball Test. The match is crucial for India’s World Test Championship Final hopes.
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