EXCLUSIVE: Rohit should be wary of Mitchell Starc, says his coach Dinesh Lad

Rohit is in a very good space at the moment and his approach should be the same. He is a positive batsman. If you go through his innings, you will notice that he likes to spend some time initially and doesn't hit every ball. He plays according to the merit of the ball.

Hyderabad: Rohit Sharma's entry will add teeth to India's batting line-up in the upcoming Test against Australia and going by his recent performances in the long format, India will have an upper hand in Sydney, his childhood coach Dinesh Lad feels.

In an exclusive conversation with ETV Bharat, Lad talks about Rohit's improved batting technique, the bowler he should be wary of, and India's prospects in the forthcoming Test.

Excerpts:

Q. How would you assess India in the third Test?

A. I am definitely positive about the third Test especially the way India came back after getting bowled out for 36 runs in the first match. They are performing really well, bowling Australia's batting line-up out for two innings is a massive thing in itself. Now Rohit has been added to the squad. Though Umesh has been injured, we have good bowlers in our pack in Saini and Shardul. I think we are in the right mindset, and Australia must be under a lot of pressure.

Q. Indian batsmen at the top have failed in the series so far. Prithvi Shaw was shown the doors, Mayank Agarwal is struggling. On the other hand Shubman Gill has performed exceptionally well. Where do you see Rohit Sharma amidst all this and which position he, according to you, should be batting?

A. I think he should be batting at the opening slot and I am sure the team management is thinking along the same lines. He batted really well against South Africa in that position. Rohit has performed brilliantly against Australia in Australia multiple times. We have to put him in the opening slot. On the other hand, Shubman batted well on that pitch. I think Rohit will be replacing Mayank in the third Test.

Q. If Rohit's history is anything to go by against left-handed bowlers, do you think he will have a special strategy in place especially against Mitchell Starc?

A. Rohit used to struggle early because he liked to play on the on side of the field. Now he is a much improved player and he is comfortable playing the left-handed bowlers. He picks the ball very early and handles them with ease now. I don't feel he will struggle.