IND vs AUS 2023: Rohit Sharma’s numbers against Australia are not good – Irfan Pathan

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has said Rohit Sharma will be looking to turn the tables in the upcoming Test match series against Australia as his numbers against the Aussies are not that great. Rohit has amassed 408 runs at a below-par average of 31.38 in the seven Tests he has played against Australia.

However, the Indian skipper is yet to play a Test against the Aussies on home soil. Rohit will hold the key at the top of the order with KL Rahul and will want to deliver his best against the potent team.

When asked, out of either captaincy or batting, what aspect of the game will hold more importance for Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports, “Both will go together. The reason for that is you have not captained much in Test cricket, you have captained in ODI cricket. You don’t just have the captaincy challenge but also the challenge of the Australian team.”

“Your eyes will be on the WTC final and your form. Your form in white-ball cricket is very good but your numbers against Australia are not that good. So you will want to better that. So it is clear that he will want to bat better and will definitely want to win this series as captain, will not want to lose to Australia especially.”

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma scored 368 runs in the four Test matches against England in 2021 and former Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar believes the right-hander should adopt the same approach which he had taken against the English team.

“He has already shown it by doing it. You spoke about England where he brought the discipline in his batting outside the off stump. That discipline will be required while playing against the new ball because two of Hazlewood, Starc and Pat Cummins will definitely play.”

Bangar urged Rohit to respect the new ball against Australia and take the attack against the opposition’s spinners.

“If he plays out the new ball, we have seen how he dominated spin on a turning track like Chennai. Very few Indian players have so many attacking shots that can destroy the spinners. The Australian spinners could be a major threat. I feel disciplin with the new ball and then attacking approach against the spinners.”

The first Test match between India and Australia will be played in Nagpur from February 9.