Rohit Sharma Can Help India Achieve Test Targets They Haven’t Done Before – Sanjay Bangar
Sep 15, 2019 at 1:07 PM
Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar believes if Rohit Sharma can succeed in Test matches, he can help the team in achieving targets they haven’t done before. The Indian limited-overs vice-captain will now get the opportunity to open the innings with Mayank Agarwal in the Test series against South Africa.
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Rohit Sharma hasn’t had a merry time in Test matches as he has scored 1585 runs in 27 Test matches at an average of 39.62. The flamboyant batsman has struggled to get going in the overseas conditions and he would like to turn the tables in the red ball version.
Rohit Sharma has a golden opportunity.
“At the moment, there is no place in the settled middle order in the Test team. The opening will be a new challenge for him since he has rarely done it in the longer formats. But the advantage is that he will get to bat against a hardball with plenty of gaps in the field. He will also not have to wait for his turn to bat, which will save his mental energy,” Bangar told ESPNcricinfo in an interview.
Rohit Sharma has the skills to hit the ground running and he can be an asset for the team if he can succeed while opening the innings. The right-hander will like to grab his chance with both hands.
“If he succeeds, his style of play will be extremely helpful to the team. It might result in being able to successfully chase down targets that we haven’t achieved in the past, like in Cape Town and Edgbaston,” he added.
On the other hand, Bangar believes Rohit Sharma should play his natural game to get the best out of himself. Rohit has achieved great success in the ODI format in the last six years and he would like to transpire the same in the red ball version.
“The key to his success will be if he maintains his individual style of play. He has to maintain his individuality,” Bangar said.
The first Test against South Africa will be played in Visakhapatnam from October 2. On the other hand, the T20I series will begin from 15th September with the first match to be played at Dharamshala.