"Throw the first punch"- BGT-winning Head Coach Ravi Shastri gives Gurumantra to Rohit Sharma to win Gabba Test

Rohit Sharma will lead India in the third test against Australia, which will be played at the Gabba, starting on December 14 (Saturday). The series is level at 1-1.

Rohit Sharma has been under the pump after India were thrashed by Australia in the day-night Test at Adelaide Oval by 10 wickets. The Indian captain missed the first test, and Jasprit Bumrah led India to a memorable win by 295 runs. But Rohit's return hasn't helped India.

With the bat, Rohit scored nine runs in two innings and India also lost the game badly. The Indian captain even failed to score big in the home series against New Zealand. That is why there are a lot of questions raised over him and his captaincy. Rohit Sharma batted at no. 5 and let KL Rahul open the innings in the second test as well.

India need to win the remaining games, which is the only way for them to qualify for the World Test Championship 2023-25 final. That's why India need runs from their captain. However, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri backs Rohit and reckons that he should bat at the top in the third test.

"Whoever wins in Gabba, wins the series" - Ravi Shastri ahead of the third IND vs AUS test

The third IND vs AUS test will start on December 14 (Saturday) at the Gabba in Brisbane. Some media reports confirm that Rohit is likely to open the innings. The Indian captain has scored 597 runs in 12 tests at an average of 27.13 in 2024. Shastri said that the team that wins the third test will also win the series as well.

In a recent interaction, the former head coach said that Rohit should play freely and throw the first punch. He said, “If he has to do damage, if he has to throw the first punch, that’s the best place from where he can do it." He also believes that India should get all the judgment and tactics right because the Gabba test can be very crucial in the test.

He said, “I feel whichever team wins this Test match will win the series. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind." Not just Rohit; India have some other areas to look into. India have not even touched 200 runs in three out of four innings played so far in this series.

The batters have struggled, including Virat Kohli, who scored an unbeaten century in the second innings of the first test. On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah is the only Indian bowler who has looked threatening, but he hasn't had the consistent support from other Indian bowlers. Hence, India need to plan and try to execute as many as possible to bounce back in the third game.