After the announcement of 15-member Indian Test squad for the upcoming home Test series against South Africa, the chief selector MSK Prasad has opened up their latest plan with Rohit Sharma in Test cricket.
The Indian limited-overs vice-captain Rohit Sharma is currently one of the best opening batsmen in limited-overs cricket. He is currently the no.2-ranked ODI batsman. Since he has taken the opening batting responsibility in limited-overs cricket, he is performing consistently.
However, his Test career is not shining. Due to highly inconsistent performances in Test cricket, Rohit has faced many chopping from the team.
At present, the Indian team management wants to find out a solid consistent opening batsman for Test cricket. While the other Indian Test openers are failing to make consistent impacts, Rohit is an in-form limited-overs opening batsman.
MSK Prasad has now revealed that they are now ready to observe Rohit Sharma as a Test opener.
Prasad said, “Want to give Rohit Sharma an opportunity to open the innings in Tests.”
Though Rohit is currently a regular opener in limited-overs cricket, he hasn’t opened in Test cricket yet. In the Test career, Rohit has mostly batted as a middle-order batsman. But now the selectors are ready to give Rohit Sharma a Test opportunity as an opener.
Rohit Sharma’s Test performances in every batting position
| Batting Position | Innings | Runs scored | Highest Score | Average | 100s/50s |
| 3rd | 5 | 107 | 53 | 21.40 | 0/1 |
| 4th | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4.00 | 0/0 |
| 5th | 16 | 437 | 79 | 29.13 | 0/3 |
| 6th | 25 | 1,037 | 177 | 54.57 | 3/6 |
Meanwhile, due to the continuous poor Test form, KL Rahul has missed out the Indian squad for the forthcoming Test series. So, the experienced Rohit Sharma has very good chances to return to the Test playing XI as an opening batsman. India’s three-match home Test series against South Africa will run between 2nd October and 23rd October 2019.
Even many former cricketers and cricket experts believe that Rohit can be successful as a Test opener too. Due to his recent powerful form in limited-overs cricket, many have defended Rohit Sharma.
After playing 47 Test innings (27 Tests), Rohit has scored 1,585 runs with an average of 39.62. In his Test career, the right-handed batsman has hit three centuries, including two centuries in the first two innings, and ten half-centuries.