Former Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath believes that Rohit Sharma has a good opportunity in the upcoming Test series against Australia to step in Virat Kohli‘s absence.
Rohit Sharma has only played five Test matches on the Australian soil while batting at the middle order. But last year, the hitman returned in Test format as an opener during the South Africa Test series at home. And his promotion to a new position brought the best of him as he scored consecutive centuries as the Test opener. But the real test of Rohit will be in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy because he is likely to first-time play as a Test opener in a foreign land.
Rohit Sharma is a quality batsman: Glenn McGrath
Australian great Glenn McGrath reckons that Rohit is a quality batsman but he hasn’t proved his mettle much in Test cricket. And with Virat missing in the squad, the Indian opener can build up his name in the extended format as well.
“Rohit Sharma is a quality batsman who hasn’t achieved at Test level what he should be achieving in my opinion… Maybe when Virat goes home, he might step up,” Glenn McGrath was quoted as saying by Sportstar.
Opportunity for other Indian players to make a mark on series: Glenn McGrath
Former cricketer stated that Virat’s absence will give chance not only to Rohit but other players to take responsibility and create impact.
“Having said that, you can’t just focus on one player. You have (Ajinkya) Rahane, (Cheteshwar) Pujara, (KL) Rahul, so there’s a quality batting line up. Once Virat leaves, it will be an opportunity for someone else to put their hand up and make a mark on the series. Maybe that could be Rohit Sharma,” McGrath said.
Virat Kohli will be with the team until the first Test match and will be on leave for the last three Test matches to attend the birth of his first child. Team India captain’s big shoe is hard to fill but the Indian team has quality players like Cheteshwar Pujara, Mayank Agarwal, who had gathered runs during the last tour of Australia.