Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Rohit backs Kohli to find fix for woes

India captain Rohit Sharma has backed Virat Kohli to overcome his problems with deliveries outside the off-stump in Australia, saying on Tuesday that players of his calibre always find a way to succeed. Kohli arrested a long run of poor form with an unbeaten century in the first Test in Perth but has frequently chased balls moving away from his stumps in the current five-match series, resulting in his dismissal.

“Modern-day greats will figure out their own ways (to deal with the issue),” Rohit told reporters ahead of the Boxing Day Test.

Rohit’s own batting frailties in the longest format have been laid bare in recent matches. The captain has managed scores of three, six and 10 since rejoining the team for the second Test following the birth of his son.

His move to the middle order has done little to inspire confidence but Rohit was tight-lipped about a potential switch back to the opening slot where he can be devastating. “Let’s not worry about that. I think ‘who bats where?’ is something that we need to figure out within ourselves. It’s not a thing I should be discussing in every press conference. Whatever it takes for our team to look good or gives us the best chance to succeed, we’ll try and do that.”

‘Don’t want to complicate things for Gill, Jaiswal’

The trio of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant is aboard “the same boat” when it comes to erratic form in the ongoing Test series but Rohit feels none of them should be “overburdened” with suggestions as it would complicate matters.

Save Jaiswal’s 161 in the second innings in the opening Test, white-ball vice-captain Gill and maverick match-winner Pant have endured poor scores in the three Tests so far. Jaiswal’s struggles in the first innings are well-documented while Gill and Pant have been frittering away good starts.

“All these boys like Gill, Jaiswal and Pant are all in the same boat. (They know) what they are capable of doing, we shouldn’t complicate those things,” Rohit said. “They know what’s expected of them and our job is to tell them to work on small things like game awareness. I don’t think that we need to talk more and complicate their thought process.”

After winning the first Test by 295 runs, India crashed to a 10-wicket defeat in Adelaide before battling to a draw in the rain-hit third match in Brisbane. “At 1-1, I think it’s a fair reflection,” Rohit added. “Both teams have played solid cricket and these two Tests are going to be so important for both teams. We want to break it down to Melbourne and focus on what we can achieve here, get things right and play well.”

India added uncapped Mumbai all-rounder Tanush Kotian to the squad for the final two Tests after ruling out the inclusion of seamer Mohammed Shami due to a knee injury.

Teenager Konstas to make debut in fourth Test

Teenager Sam Konstas will make his Test debut in the cauldron of the Boxing Day Test on Thursday as Australia look to take the game to India’s bowlers, coach Andrew McDonald said.

Konstas, 19, was brought into the squad at the expense of Nathan McSweeney after Australia’s top order struggled for runs in the first three Tests of the series.

“He’s composed, relaxed, knows his game is in a good place at the moment, he’ll play Boxing Day,” McDonald told reporters at the MCG.

“We said from the get-go that age was no barrier. And what he’s shown is an array of shots, the ability to put pressure back onto opponents and he gets his opportunity. We’re really excited for him, Boxing Day, the biggest stage. He might as well get that one out of the way early.”