IND vs ENG: Opener Rohit Sharma May Be Under Pressure To Perform

Though India skipper Virat Kohli had confirmed prior to the first Test that both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill would be persisted with throughout the series, the former is likely to be under pressure

Worse is that Sharma has thrown his wicket away after being settled. In the first innings in Brisbane, he looked good at 44 but holed out to long-on off the bowling of Nathan Lyon on what was an irresponsible shot.

He was unlucky to get good deliveries on both occasions in the last Test but with India looking to square the series and desperate to avoid defeat - a loss would mean they will be out of the race of World Test Championship final, Sharma will have to up his game.

India could try someone else like Washington Sundar to open and push Sharma down too. Or the host may bring in Mayank Agarwal who is in the squad and who Sharma had replaced after the second Test in Australia.

But India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane backed Sharma saying a few matches don't make him a bad player.

"Rohit is an important member of our team. A big score doesn't mean you have to make 100 or 150. In Australia he batted well, made important contributions. See if someone has one off-day, plays 3-4 bad innings, it doesn't mean that he is a bad player. You have to back your player," Rahane told the media on Thursday.

"Rohit is a player who has won us many matches in the past. You can't judge a player in 1-2 matches or 4-6 innings. You know that someone like Rohit if he gets set, he goes on to play big innings. He can win matches for you. So it is all about having faith in that particular player. As I said Rohit is an important member of our team. Really happy to have him," he added.