Star India batsman Rohit Sharma was not made a part of the playing XI during the two-match Test series against the West Indies. India produced a clinical performance, thrashing the Windies 2-0. However, the openers failed to provide an impressive start in all the four innings.
KL Rahul couldn’t convert his thirties and forties into big scores at North Sound. And Mayank Agarwal did nothing special except getting that half-century at Sabina Park.
Meanwhile, former India captain Sourav Ganguly felt that the team management should let Rohit Sharma give it a shot at the top of the order instead of KL Rahul.
“I had suggested earlier about trying Rohit Sharma as an opener in Test cricket and I still believe that he needs to be given an opportunity because he is too good a player to be left out in the cold,” Ganguly wrote in his column for The Times of India.
Furthermore, he mentioned that while Mayank Agarwal needs more chances, KL Rahul’s poor form has created an opening at the top.
“The opening still remains an area to work on. Mayank Agarwal looks good but will need a few more opportunities. His partner KL Rahul, though, has flattered to deceive and that creates an opening at the top.”
Before the India-West Indies series, Ganguly had opined that Rohit deserved to be tried at the opening spot. However, he was ignored for both the matches.
Rohit had a fairy-tale run in the recently concluded 2019 World Cup, where he smashed five centuries.
“After a fantastic World Cup, I believe he will be itching to grab the opportunity to open in Tests. With Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari settling in nicely, there is not much left to play around in the middle-order,” the former left-hander added.
Over the years, the opening batsmen have played a crucial role in India’s success. Hence, Ganguly opined that the opening slot would need the team management’s attention for Test cricket in the long run.
