Lagatar24 Desk
Canberra: In a surprising move, Indian captain Rohit Sharma chose to bat at No. 5 in the pink-ball warm-up game against Australia’s Prime Minister’s XI at the Manukua Oval on Sunday. The decision came as KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal retained their opening spots following their stellar partnership during the Perth Test.
Rohit, who recently rejoined the team after the birth of his second child, was expected to resume his role as an opener. However, KL Rahul’s impressive 77-run knock and a record-breaking 201-run opening stand with Jaiswal in the Perth Test have sparked discussions about the captain’s batting position ahead of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide.
Rohit has rarely batted at No. 5, doing so only 16 times in his career, with a modest average of 29.13 in that position. His last stint at No. 5 was in 2018, making his move in the warm-up game a noteworthy shift as India strategizes for the upcoming Tests.
Konstas Steals the Show for PM XI
The highlight of the day was a stunning century by 19-year-old Sam Konstas, who scored 107 off 97 balls, including 14 boundaries and a six. His innings helped the PM XI post a competitive 240 after early setbacks.
While Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep struck early to dismantle the PM XI’s top order, Konstas showcased resilience with partnerships alongside Jack Clayton (109 runs for the fifth wicket) and Hanno Jacobs (67 runs for the eighth wicket). Despite challenging conditions, the youngster displayed exceptional skill, blending orthodox and unorthodox shots to anchor his team’s innings.
Harshit Rana Shines with the Ball
India’s bowling unit, led by Harshit Rana, kept the PM XI in check. Rana’s four-wicket haul was instrumental in restricting the hosts, while Siraj and Deep supported with early breakthroughs.
As the second Test looms, the team management faces a tough decision regarding the batting order, with KL Rahul’s resurgence and Jaiswal’s consistency making a strong case for the opening slots.
