As Virat Kohli has pulled out from the last three Test matches, all eyes are on Rohit Sharma to fill Team India’s regular captain’s shoes. Well, Harbhajan Singh believes that the hitman can dismantle Australia’s attack, but he also admits that Rohit needs to master in some areas.
Rohit Sharma has shown what he can do after he was promoted to opener’s position in Test cricket last year. He scored consecutive centuries to break several records. But he is inexperienced to play as Test opener in foreign conditions. And Australia’s series is likely to be his first Test series as an opener, and thus, the pressure is on him. Many are sceptic that the limited-overs opener might fail in Australian conditions.
However, the veteran spinner is not in doubt about Rohit Sharma’s ability. He stats the right-hand batsman is a quality batsman. As per him, if hitman stays for first five overs, he could prove to be a dangerous player.
Harbhajan iterated that Rohit Sharma has several shots in his armoury to annihilate Australia’s attack.
“Rohit Sharma is a quality player. Expectations from him will be high, fans will be hoping he scores as many runs in Australia as he did in Test cricket as an opener on home soil in the recent past.
“If he stays at the crease for the first 5 overs then dismissing him or even stopping him becomes very difficult because he is a very dangerous player. He cuts and pulls well, drives the ball well and even his backfoot play is also very good. Scoring runs in Australia shouldn’t be too difficult for a batsman like Rohit,” Harbhajan Singh told Sports Tak.
Rohit Sharma is a very important player: Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh pointed out that Rohit Sharma needs to excel with the new ball to become an opener like Virender Sehwag while he also hoped that the Mumbai India skipper also gets fit before the first Test.
“Facing the new ball will be important, if he plays it well then India can expect quick runs from Rohit’s bat, just like Virender Sehwag did for the team as opener. Rohit is a very important player for the team and I hope he gets fit in time for the first Test,” Harbhajan Singh stated.
The most anticipated four-match Test series will begin with day-night Test match on December 17 in Adelaide Oval. Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane will host the last three Test matches respectively.