Rohit Sharma has been slotted in the middle order in India's teamsheet for their warm-up fixture against the PM's XI in Canberra.
The first day of the tour game was called off without a toss due to rain. Both teams had decided to play out a 50-overs-a-side game on the second day (December 1), but the weather forecasts looked bleak.
Fortunately for the tourists, rain stayed away just long enough to get the match underway today. Indians won the toss and elected to field first. Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep shared the new ball, with the former getting rid of opener Matt Renshaw in the fifth over before the heavens opened up again at the score of 21-1.
You can follow live updates from the practice match here.
Rohit to bat in the middle order?
Along with some vital game time with the pink ball, this tour match might also be indicative of what India might do come the Adelaide Test. If their teamsheet is anything to go by, India might well be looking to slot their returning captain Rohit Sharma in the middle order.
Rohit has been listed at No.5 for the warm-up encounter, with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, the pair that opened in the first Test in Perth, named at the top. Shubman Gill, who has also recovered from his thumb injury, has been slotted down at No.3, his usual position.
Not to decode much in this warmup match vs PM XI, but Rohit Sharma listed at number 5 is pretty interesting. #BGT pic.twitter.com/NhbJwR5VEL
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) December 1, 2024
Also read: How can India fit Gill and Rohit back into their Test XI?
However, it's worth noting that this is not a recognised first-class game, with both teams allowed to use 11 batters and 11 bowlers. Siraj and Akash, who have started India's bowling innings, for instance, are both slotted outside the first XI - at 12 and 15 respectively, meaning it might not be worth reading too much into the position of the players in this teamsheet.
If rain relents and the match goes into the second innings, it would provide a clearer picture of what India are thinking in terms of Rohit's batting position.
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