Hard to see a special talent like Rohit Sharma missing out, claims Ajinkya Rahane

After KL Rahul was dropped from the Test series against South Africa after a string of underwhelming scores, it was largely believed that Rohit Sharma will finally be given a shot at redemption in the game’s longest format. The claims were further accentuated by the fact that Shubman GIll, a number three specialist batsman, was drafted into the squad instead of another opener. However, the team’s vice captain has failed to confirm whether the veteran batsman will be seen in India’s all-whites against the Proteas.

"You want an answer actually? I don't know yet whether Rohit will open the innings. If he does, I will be happy for him. I said in West Indies also, it is hard to see a special talent like Rohit sitting out. He has worked so hard and if he gets an opportunity, I am sure he will do well,” Ajinkya Rahane was quoted saying by TOI.

Sharma is one of the greatest limited overs batsmen of the present era, having 11,000-plus runs to his name in the two formats including more than 30 centuries, at an astounding average of 48.5 in ODIs. However, he has failed to replicate the same in red-ball cricket even though his numbers are from bad. He has three centuries in 27 games, with a decent average of nearly 40.

“We all know the quality he has-- special talent. Test cricket is all about mindset and ODI cricket, you can just go out there and back yourself. In Test cricket, sometimes if two bowlers are bowling good spells, you need to respect that and come out strong and play your game after that,” Kohli’s deputy in Tests added.

With 58 Test caps to his name, Rahane himself is one of the most senior players in the Test squad and he accentuated the fact that Tests are all about the mind.

"You need to believe in yourself and come out strongly. If can keep my mind at the present - that isTest cricket- other things will fall automatically,” he concluded on the matter.