I will be happy to bat wherever the team wants me to in Australia: Rohit Sharma

Ahead of the upcoming Test series in Australia, India opener Rohit Sharma has said he is open to bat anywhere, depending on the team-management’s demand. All eyes will be on Rohit in the upcoming series as the team would be banking on him heavily for the runs in the absence of skipper Virat Kohli. The India skipper would miss three of the four-match Test series in Australia to be at the birth of his first child.

After a start-stop Test career, Rohit was finally promoted as an opener during the home season last year. And he hit the ground running as a Test opener. In his very first Test as an opener, he hit twin centuries against South Africa. It was followed by a double century against the same opposition. But despite the stunning success at the top of the batting order, Rohit is willing to be flexible with his batting order.

“I will tell you the same thing that I have told everyone all this while. I will be happy to bat wherever the team wants me to but I don’t know if they would change my role as an opener,” Rohit Sharma was quoted as saying by India Tv.

“I’m sure the guys already in Australia must have figured out what are options when Virat leaves and who are the guys who will open the innings. Once I reach there, I will probably have a clearer idea of what’s going to happen. I will be okay to bat wherever they want,” he added.

Rohit Sharma on Australian pitches

Rohit Sharma is gearing up for his first overseas series as a Test opener. Earlier this year, he missed the series in New Zealand due to a calf injury. Facing the likes of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood on the fast and bouncy Australian pitches could be a nightmare for any batsmen. However, Rohit is not too worried about it.

The India star said that barring Perth, the other Australian venues do not have the same bounce that used to create problems for the batsmen. He also stated that he would focus on playing in the ‘V’ rather than going for the pulls and cuts in the upcoming series.

“We talk about bounce but except for Perth, over the past few years, the other grounds (Adelaide, MCG, SCG), I don’t think have that much bounce. Nowadays, especially while opening the batting, I will have to think about not playing the cut or pull shots and focus on playing in the ‘V’ and as straight as possible,” he said.

Rohit is currently at the NCA in Bengaluru for his rehabilitation. He would travel to Australia later after clearing his fitness test. On the other hand, the rest of the team is already in Australia and is preparing for the series. Before the Test series, India and Australia will also play three ODIs and as many T20Is.