Rohit Sharma is undoubtedly one of the best batsmen in the limited-overs format. But, when it comes to Test Cricket, he is yet to find his rhythm in the longest version of the game.
After making his Test debut in 2013 in Kolkata, he has played only 27 matches in which he has scored 1,585 runs comprising of 3 centuries and 10 fifties.
Although the Mumbaikar has performed brilliantly on home soil, he has failed to deliver with the bat overseas. The right-hander has been known to gift his wicket by playing rash and irresponsible shots in a format that demands patience and perseverance.
Rohit will again look to grab an opportunity to resurrect his Test career with both hands. He is a part of the Indian squad that will play a two-match series against the West Indies.
Meanwhile, former Indian opener, Gautam Gambhir still believes in Rohit – The Test batsman. In his column for the Times of India (TOI), he praised Rohit’s batting and called it ‘flawless’.
“Rohit Sharma is batting as if there is a GPS on his bat with location settings filtered for the white cricket ball. So flawless has been his display that even a coaching manual is looking like a grey market “first copy”. I think this is the moment when Rohit needs someone in his ears to convey the importance of this form. He needs to convert this into big and consistent scores,” Gambhir wrote.
The cricketer-turned-politician said that Rohit can focus and do really well in red-ball cricket if he is guided by legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Furthermore, Gambhir believes that a formidable Indian lineup with Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma can be a threat to the opposition.
“Then, he needs to carry this batting form into Test cricket. I’d go on to say that if someone like a Rahul Dravid or Sachin Tendulkar mentors him for a few months, we may get a completely polished, Test-ready batsman. Sometimes Rohit just seems bored in Test cricket.”
“A few words of advice by these legends may transform that. If things start rolling for Rohit, just imagine India’s Test line up with Pujara at number three, Virat at 4 and Rohit at number 5,” Gauti added.
Gambhir had played 58 Tests in his career. He was named the ICC Test Player of the Year in 2009 and also ranked the No. 1 batsman in the ICC Test rankings in the same year.
