I Hate To See A Player Like Rohit Sharma Sitting In Reserves – Ravi Shastri
Oct 9, 2019 at 11:26 AM
Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has heaped high praise on Rohit Sharma. The flamboyant batsman was backed by the team management to open the innings in the Test fold. The right-hander was able to grab his chance with both hands as he scored twin centuries in the first Test against South Africa. Rohit scored a fine knock of 176 in the first essay and backed it with another 127 in the second innings.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma could not get his chance on the West Indies. The think tank gave the last chance to KL Rahul and as the Karnataka batsman continued his poor form, Rohit replaced him in the opening position. Subsequently, Ravi Shastri stated that he hates to see a player like Rohit Sharma warm the benches.
Rohit has grabbed his chance with both hands.
It is well known that Rohit has all the skills in the game and it was a matter of time for him to convert his chances. Shastri added he was clear that he wanted to give Rohit Sharma an opening opportunity.
Ravi Shastri said while talking to the Hindu, “I would hate to see a player of his quality sitting in the reserves. In the West Indies, I was very clear that he should open and had a chat with Kohli about it. This was his opportunity.
The Indian chief coach Ravi Shastri added that opening the innings in Test matches is all about the mindset. Rohit was circumspect in his approach in the initial phase of his innings and then played his natural game to deliver the goods.
“The opening is about the mindset. You got to respect the new ball. A lot of guys in India should have opened in the last 20 years for the sake of team balance, but they didn’t have the stomach for it. Who would have thought Virender Sehwag would average nearly 50 in Tests. But he conquered those first 20 minutes against the new ball. I don’t think any other opener actually enjoyed opening like he did”.
Rohit Sharma was awarded the Man of the match for scoring two centuries in the first Test and he would like to continue his good form going. The second Test match will take place at Pune from October 10.