Rohit Sharma can most definitely open the batting in Tests in India, says Adam Gilchrist
Legendary Australian wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist believes that Rohit Sharma can open the batting in Tests for India, especially at home. Several people, including chief selector MSK Prasad, have hinted at the possibility of giving chance to Rohit up top in Tests with KL Rahul looking shaky.
One of the biggest mysteries in modern-day cricket is the inability of Rohit Sharma to replicate his ODI exploits in Test cricket, despite the Mumbaikar boasting an incredible first-class record. Several believed that the 32-year-old would get his chance in West Indies, but ultimately he didn't, and with both Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari scoring centuries, the door might have very well shut for Rohit to bat in the middle-order.
However, this opens up another possibility of him opening the batting with recently, chief selector MSK Prasad also hinting at it as something that the selectors are looking at. And, former Australian and Deccan Chargers players Adam Gilchrist has also come forward and vouched for Rohit to open the batting in Test cricket, stating that he can be very successful in Indian conditions opening the batting.
"There is no reason why Rohit Sharma cannot be successful in Test cricket. In India, most definitely he can play as an opener. There might be more challenging times abroad in South Africa, England and Australia," Gilchrist, who is currently in Bangalore as an ambassador for an Australian university, was quoted as saying by Times of India.
Gilchrist, who captained Rohit in the IPL while playing for Deccan Chargers, praised the latter's attitude and said that people often mistake him for being lazy due to his laidback look. Gilchrist also hailed Rohit as a world-class batter and said that he'll be capable of taking on the challenge, but admitted that it would need a change in mindset from India's ODI vice-captain.
"I have played with Rohit, in IPL. Rohit deceives people in that they feel he is not working hard enough because he is such a laidback guy, but it means just as much to him as it does to anyone else.
"Rohit is world class. If he wants to take on the challenge at the top of the order, there is no reason why it wouldn't work. But it would take a change in his mindset, in his batting approach, particularly overseas. In India, it is suited to him. He's got to want to do it, no one should force him," Gilchrist concluded.
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