Is playing at no. 5 hurting Rohit Sharma's game? Cheteshwar Pujara reveals reason behind Rohit's struggles

IND vs AUS: Rohit Sharma has become the talking point among the former Indian players, cricket pundits, and fans. The Indian captain has been going through a rough patch and struggling to score runs. After scoring nine runs across two innings in Adelaide, Rohit scored ten runs in the first innings of the third test at the Gabba.

He once again got out to his opposite number, Pat Cummins, trying to play an avoidable ball on the fourth and fifth stump. Well, it hasn't helped India either. His demotion in the batting order to no. 5 has not earned success. In fact, his numbers have declined rapidly in the three innings he has spent at this position.

So, what has stopped suddenly? Though Rohit entered this series with poor form, he has not been able to get to double digits now. It has raised concerns about his place in the test side as well. Is batting in the middle order hurting him? His former teammate Cheteshwar Pujara has his say on this.

IND vs AUS: Cheteshwar Pujara opines Rohit Sharma should bat at the top to regain his form

In two out of three innings played in the ongoing BGT series, Cummins set Rohit up with bowling just outside off. He got him out with an inswinging ball in Adelaide and dismissed him at the Gabba, bowling outside off. That's what Cheteshwar Pujara highlighted during his interaction on Star Sports.

Pujara said that the ball Rohit got out to was not there to drive, and the Indian captain should have defended it. Talking about Rohit Sharma's struggle in the series, Pujara said that the Indian captain should bat at his normal position at the top, which suits him the most.

The veteran star said, “He has been opening the innings, now he’s batting at number 6. I still feel that when you are so much used to opening the innings and when you have to wait, then you put yourself in that doubt. I mean, it doesn’t help you when you’re opening innings and you suddenly start batting at number 6."

Rohit decided to bat in the middle order after KL Rahul played well in Perth. Rahul had another good show in the first innings, and he scored a gritty 84, which helped India to hold one end. India are still 193 runs behind Australia with only one wicket in hand in the third test. With rain predicted for the final day, this match is heading towards a draw.

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