Mentally Preparing For Opening Job Since Past Two Years: Rohit Sharma
Oct 2, 2019 at 5:37 PM
It was a second Test debut for Rohit Sharma, who was asked to open the innings for the first time in his Test career. With no place in the middle-order and continues failures from the openers, India were in a desperate need of an opener and the hunt ended on Rohit, their white-ball vice-captain.
Also Read: Indian openers provide solid start on day 1 of opening Test
The experienced batsman pounced on the opportunity in the first Test in Vizag and responded to team management’s belief with a century. Commenting on his promotion as an opener, Rohit revealed that he was preparing for the role since past two years.
“Talk about me opening was there for long. In the West Indies, I was told it is going to happen now. I have been preparing mentally for two years to open in Tests,” he said after the day’s play.
Rohit had made his Test debut in 2013 as a middle-order batsman. For the next 26 Tests, he batted in the middle-order but in West Indies, he was surprisingly pipped by Hanuma VIhari for a place in the middle-order.
India opener KL Rahul was going through a rough patch and once the series ended, it was almost confirmed that Rahul would be dropped.
Also Read: Kapil Dev resigns from Cricket Advisory Committee
As it turned out to be, he was dropped while Rohit retained his place. Despite the presence of Shubman Gill in the squad, Rohit was confirmed to open and he did not let the opportunity go.
He was well supported by Mayank Agarwal from the other hand. The right-handed batsman scored 84* on day 1 and will resume his innings on day 2 with a hope to reach the three-figure mark.
The duo has shared 202 runs for the first wicket in 59.1 overs and will hope to add on more runs tomorrow.
During his century knock, Rohit created oodles of records and also equalled Don Bradman’s feat of highest average at home in Test (98.22). He will be going beyond Bradman’s tally on day 2.