Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell believes the absence of the Indian star batsman will be a big blow for India in ODI and T20 series Down under.

Rohit Sharma, who injured his hamstring during the recently concluded IPL 2020 held in UAE. He was not considered for India’s ODI and T20 squads for a 69-day tour of Australia.

He was named as a late addition to the Test series which begins on December 17.

“Rohit is a class performer, so consistent as an opening batsman with a couple of (three) double hundreds. So anytime he isn’t in the line-up against you, it’s a positive,” Maxwell said during a select media interaction organised by official broadcasters Sony.

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India’s three-match ODI series against Australia begins on Friday (November 27) at the Sydney Cricket Ground. In Rohit’s absence, one of either Mayank Agarwal or rookie Shubman Gill will pair up with Shikhar Dhawan at the top of the order.

Maxwell, who played under Rahul’s captaincy for Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2020 said the former was as good a back-up as any team can wish for.

“But in saying that, India has still got back-ups, more than capable of playing that role. We saw KL Rahul, the performance that he put on during the last IPL was extraordinary. Whether he opens the batting or not, I’m sure he’ll be just as good a player,” he said.

India won the ODI series 2-1 last time they toured Australia in 2018 with Rohit and Dhawan opening the innings.