Should Rohit Sharma be India’s next Test opener?
The current Test batting scene is dominated by the ‘Fab Four’ – Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson and Joe Root. Four batsmen from four different nations, good for symmetry and comparisons but it well could have been ‘Fab Five’. None of these four has scored a double century in ODIs, neither has even a single century to boast upon in T20Is. But the man who owns three ODI double tons and four T20I hundreds, Rohit Sharma, rarely features in the white jersey.
Often dubbed as the ‘white-ball legend’, Rohit’s record in the limited overs is unparalleled in the last few years. His crown jewel was, of course, the 2019 World Cup in England. He established the record of smashing five centuries in the tournament. There’s scarcely any doubt of him finishing as one of the greatest in cricket’s short formats, but that may still be an underachievement.
The 32-year old has played 218 ODIs and 97 T20Is for India but has featured in only 27 Test matches. His Test debut materialised after spending six years in international cricket. The start was dazzling, to say the least. Rohit began his Test career with two consecutive centuries but soon faded out of the side with dwindling numbers in away conditions. However, the current situation is ripe to give him another chance to enhance his reputation in the most difficult format of cricket.
Batting at the most difficult spot
It is universally agreed that the opening slot is the toughest position to bat in Test cricket. It’s a severe test of batsman’s technique and concentration with the opposition’s best bowlers raring to have a go. With T20 leagues blooming everywhere, it has not been easy for batsmen to adapt to this challenge. Rohit will have his task cut out if he is used in the opening partnership. However, the current Indian situation is not too bright either.
Lack of consistency in Indian openers
India’s most difficult patch of Test matches began with the tour to South Africa in early 2018. Since then, the Asian giants have used a combination of seven pairs in 29 innings in the subsequent tours of England and Australia. None of them has shown enough potential to retain their places. Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan have both been discarded from the Test side owing to their poor showing. Doping violations have ruled Prithvi Shaw out. The current incumbents, Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul have not been overly impressive either.
India have failed to find a consistent opening pair
Case for Rohit
Every Indian fan knows the story of Rohit’s transformation into a modern-day legend. After failures in the middle order, he was promoted to open the innings in 2013. The move turned him into a different beast altogether. The Mumbai batsman is a constant in the opening pair of both India’s ODI and T20I outfits. However, he has never assumed the same mantle in the longest format. In 27 Tests Rohit played, he has never batted higher than three. Even at a time when India had no opener to go to, the management trusted in Hanuma Vihari more than Rohit.
Experts believe in Rohit
India’s former captain Sourav Ganguly, credited for launching careers of many prominent Indian cricketers, is a staunch supporter of promoting Rohit to the top.
“My suggestion would be to let Rohit carry on his good form from the World Cup and settle in the opener’s slot while Rahane continues his good work of lending stability to the middle order,” stated once India’s most successful leader.
Other prominent cricketers have also backed the claim. Gautam Gambhir, Mohammad Azharuddin, Shoaib Akhtar etc. have voiced the same opinion from time to time.
Worth a punt?
India won the first Test by 318 runs. There’s little doubt that the number one ranked Test side in the world will have any reason to worry going into the second Test. This second fixture at Jamaica will be India’s last away game before they embark on a series of home Tests. Thus this game provides an ideal opportunity to trial Rohit at the opening slot. He was sidelined for the first match since all the spots in the middle order were taken. If the team management wishes, they can very well use this opportunity to solve the opening crisis.
