Virender Sehwag backs Rohit Sharma for opening in Tests
Former Indian legend Virender Sehwag has backed Rohit Sharma to open the Test innings for India in the near future. India's opening combinations haven't worked, since quite sometime, outside the subcontinent. Rohit was snubbed for the ongoing 5-match Test series against England. And Viru feels he should be given a shot at the top of the order. Here is more.
What did Sehwag say about Rohit?
As per a media report, Sehwag was quoted saying, Rohit deserves a chance ahead of Shaw in the upcoming home series against the West Indies. He said, "Prithvi Shaw might get a chance in the fifth Test. But I believe, Rohit deserves a chance before the young chap. India can try Rohit first and then call up Prithvi if he fails to deliver."
Indian management needs to trust Sharma
Earlier this year, Rohit batted down the order in the series against South Africa but was dropped from the third Test after a poor string of scores. With the Australia series coming up later this year, Rohit could be given a chance to open the innings. Interestingly, Rohit's ODI career flew only after he started opening the innings.
Indian opening scenario in Tests pretty complex
The situation of opening in Tests, for India, is pretty complex at the moment. Murali Vijay was axed post the second Test against England after a poor show outside the subcontinent. KL Rahul has failed to deliver as well. This leaves just Shikhar Dhawan in the mix. Prithvi Shaw was selected for the remaining 2 Tests and could make his debut today.
Rohit needs to keep scoring the runs
Besides Vijay, KL Rahul could miss out on the plane to Australia. That leaves Dhawan and Shaw as only options. So could Sharma be drafted in and backed to open the innings? He has been a consistent performer, as an opener, in ODIs and T20Is. Rohit needs runs in the Asia Cup and then in the ODIs against West Indies to have a chance.
Rohit's performances in SENA has been dismal
Rohit has 1,479 runs from 25 Tests. He averages 39.97 and has three hundreds to his name. None of these have come outside the subcontinent. His average in SENA countries is disappointing. He has managed only 452 runs across 10 Tests.
