Rohit Sharma is set to open the innings for the first time in his Test career when India take on South Africa in the opening Test of the series in Vizag. Rohit’s Test career has been contrasting if compared to his ODI and T20I career.
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Inconsistent performances saw Rohit miss out on a place in playing X during West Indies series and to keep him in the side, the team management opted to hand him opener’s job. This could very well be the make or break series for Rohit, who has played 27 Test matches so far.
VVS Laxman, the former India batsman, has said that Rohit has the advantage of experience by his side, that should help him.
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“The biggest advantage that Rohit has is his experience, which I didn’t have. I opened in Test cricket only after playing four Test matches. Rohit has played 12 years of international cricket. So he has the maturity and the experience and he is also in good form,” Laxman told Deep Dasgupta on his YouTube channel “Deep Point”.
Laxman was promoted as opener after playing just four Tests but later, he was back in the middle-order. Though Rohit’s case is totally different as he does not have the age on his side, like other candidates for the opener’s job.
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Should Rohit do well, he will keep his place but if fails to capitalise the opportunity, India might give a chance to a new opener during the home series against Bangladesh.
Shubman Gill is already a part of the Test squad and he will be designated opener if the openers do not do well against South Africa.
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Rohit did not have a good build-up to the Vizag Test as he was dismissed on a two-ball duck against South Africa while leading Board President’s XI in the three-day warm-up match.
Mayank Agarwal, who will open with Rohit, scored 39 off 92. Priyank Panchal, one of the candidates for the opener’s job, scored 60 off 77. For South Africa, Aiden Markram scored 100* while Temba Bavuma scored 87*.