With Team India all gearing up for the much-awaited third Test against Australia, former India player VVS Laxman believes that opener Mayank Agarwal will be replaced by none other than swashbuckling opener Rohit Sharma at Sydney Test that will begin on January 7 (Thursday).

India have been facing issues with their opening pair throughout the Test series but dropping Prithvi Shaw for Shubman Gill helped them in the second Test. Meanwhile, the poor form of Mayank in the four innings so far (17, 9, 0, 5) might see him dropped for Rohit, who is most likely to be featured in the game after completing his two-weeks' mandatory quarantine period and hitting in the nets prior to the third Test.

"Definitely one of the batsman has to miss out, probably Rohit Sharma will come in place of Mayank Agarwal, because Rohit, since the South Africa series has been a regular opener he has a tremendous record, as an opening batsman," he said on Star Sports show Cricket Connected.

"I think The Indian cricket team will be very pleased to have Rohit Sharma back, especially when Virat is not there, you want more experience in the Indian dressing room, because now is the perfect opportunity for us to go 2-1 in Sydney and then probably win 3-1," he shared.

"Rohit Sharma himself would like to showcase his talent, because I always feel that his style of batting and talent is very suited for the Australian wicket. So, if he gets his eye in, if he sees through the new ball, I’m sure that a big hundred is on the cards as far as Rohit’s batting is concerned," he further added.

So far, both the teams have won one game each. While Australia started with a comfortable 8-wicket win, Team India bounced back well and secured a win in the second one as well. And, the veteran referred it to a 'fitting reply' to the critics. Notably, Team India played without Virat Kohli (paternity leave) and Mohammed Shami (wrist injury) as well.

"It’s obvious that once you’re bowled out for 36, various cricket experts will think that Virat Kohli leaving the series and Shami being ruled out, the Indian team could sort off disintegrate and could result in a very poor outing in the reminder of the series but credit to the entire team, support staff, the way they bounced back positively. I would say to my viewer friends and experts, never rule out anything, especially not the Indian Cricket Team," he concluded.