WTC Final 2023 – Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill will have to change their template as ball will move: Aakash Chopra

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra reckons Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will have to change their template as the ball will move in the World Test Championship final against Australia. The Indian openers – Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill – will hold the key for the team at the top of the order and they will be looking to give a solid start to their side.

Rohit has scored 466 runs at an average of 42.36 in six Tests in England
whereas Gill has managed 57 runs at an average of 14.25 in the four innings in English conditions.

Gill was in red-hot form in IPL 2023 for Gujarat Titans, amassing 890 runs in 17 matches at an average of 59.33 and an impressive strike rate of 157.80 to finish as the leading run-getter of the tournament.

On the other hand, Rohit will be looking to get back into form after a sub-par IPL 2023 for Mumbai Indians as he could only score 332 runs in 16 matches at an average of 20.75. However, Rohit scored 368 runs in four Test matches on the tour of England in 2021 while opening the innings and played a crucial role in the team’s success.

Meanwhile, Gill returned with scores of 17 and 4 in the rescheduled Test match against England in 2022.

“Rohit Sharma has done exceedingly well. In fact, he is the only batter in this entire Indian team to have an average over 40 in England. Shubman Gill hasn’t played too many matches here. Rohit didn’t have form but Shubman is coming with T20 form,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Australia have a potent bowling attack as they have bowlers like Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Scott Boland and Chopra reckons both Rohit and Gill will have to bat at their absolute best.

“They (Rohit and Gill) will have to change their template slightly because the ball will move a little at the start, there is no doubt about that. You will also have Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Scott Boland in the opposition bowling attack, and Cameron Green will come when they are required to be released. So they have very good bowling for this pitch,” Chopra said.

After Rohit Sharma won the toss, Australia are 147-3 after 40 overs on the opening day.