VVS Laxman, former Indian batsman has opined that Rohit Sharma will make a substantial score in the upcoming Sydney Test against Australia if he can get his eye in.
Rohit Sharma missed the first two Test matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as he was serving his quarantine period in Sydney. The Indian vice-captain had arrived late in Australia because of a hamstring injury he sustained in the IPL which forced him to miss a limited-overs leg of the Australian tour.
VVS Laxman (Photo: IANS)
VVS Laxman: Rohit Sharma Will Probably Come In Place Of Mayank Agarwal
In the recent edition of the Star Sports show Cricket Connected, VVS Laxman was asked for his views if Rohit Sharma’s availability will further strengthen the Indian team or whether it will mean a selection dilemma for the Sydney Test. The speculation of selection headaches is now no longer lingering after KL Rahul was ruled out of the last 2 Tests after sustaining an injury at nets.
VVS Laxman responded by saying it is certainly a positive to have Rohit Sharma back among the squad and added that the stylish right-handed batsman is likely to take Mayank Agarwal’s spot at the top of the Indian batting order.
“Definitely one of the batsmen has to miss out. Rohit Sharma will probably come in place of Mayank Agarwal because Rohit has been a regular opener since the South Africa series. He has a tremendous record now as an opening batsman but I think it is a good headache to have,” said Laxman.
Rohit Sharma (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP) / —-IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE—–
VVS Laxman pointed out Rohit Sharma’s presence as an opener will give some much needed experience to the Indian team in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli. He added the visitors have a great chance to win the final two Test matches and clinch the series.
“The Indian cricket team will be very pleased to have Rohit Sharma back especially when Virat is not there. You want more experience in that Indian dressing room. Now is the perfect opportunity first to go up 2-1 in Sydney and then win probably 3-1,” added Laxman
India bounced back after losing the Adelaide Test after a batting debacle but bounced back by winning at Melbourne. Rohit Sharma has played 32 Tests and the last one was the pink-ball Test against Bangladesh in November 2019. Mayank Agarwal has struggled to score 0 and 5 in 2nd Test and 17 and 9 in 1st Test.
VVS Laxman: Rohit Sharma’s Batting Suited For Australian Wickets
VVS Laxman thinks Rohit Sharma will be keen to display his prowess with the bat and added the bouncy pitches in Australia will be to the latter’s liking.
“Rohit Sharma himself will like to showcase his talent because I always feel his kind of batting is very very suited for the Australian wickets,” stated Laxman
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Image Credit: Getty Images.
VVS Laxman concluded by stating that he expects a huge knock from Rohit Sharma at Sydney if he can weather off the early storm with the new ball. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul’s absence will mean Hanuma Vihari will get another chance to deliver with the bat in hand.
“If he gits his eye in, if he sees off the new ball, I am sure a big hundred is on the cards as far as Rohit’s batting is concerned,” concluded Laxman
The Sydney Test will present a new challenge to Rohit Sharma if he opens, having never done so previously in overseas conditions. The Indian team is hopeful that the classy batsman can replicate the form he showed as a Test opener in India’s home season in 2019. He averages above 45 and is playing as an opener of late. As an opener, he averages a staggering 92.67 in 6 innings amassing 556 runs with 3 tons.
