Board President's XI vs SA: Rohit manages second-ball duck
Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a second-ball duck while playing for Board President's XI against South Africa in the three-day warm-up match. Rohit took part in this game to get a good rehearsal ahead of the three-match Test series against South Africa, starting October 2. He will be featuring as an opener against the Proteas. Here's more on the same.
Rohit fails to impress in warm-up match
There was a lot of focus on Rohit in this crucial warm-up game on how he fares as a Test opener. The celebrated limited-overs opening batsman has played in the middle order in Test cricket. However, Rohit was removed by Vernon Philander in the second over of Board President's XI innings. He must be miffed with himself for this missed opportunity.
Test series against SA will be a challenge for Rohit
The upcoming Test series is Rohit's mega chance to resurrect his stop-start Test career. He has been a celebrated opener in limited-overs cricket and has won many laurels, however, this is a different and difficult format. Opening will be a new challenge for him in Tests. Rohit's technique against the moving ball will be put to test in the upcoming three-match series.
Rohit needs to shine in his new role
At the moment, India's middle order slots are filled and wasting Rohit's talent on the bench is something Team India wasn't keen on doing any more. Therefore, the slot for opening the batting came up. Rohit will be wary of Shubman Gill's threat. The in-form youngster is the third choice opener at the moment. Rohit cannot afford to fail in his new role.
What's the situation of the warm-up match?
The first day got washed out as SA managed 279/6 (declared) after getting a chance to bat on Day 2. Aiden Markram was brilliant with a superb 100-run knock. Temba Bavuma also chipped in with a fluent unbeaten 87. For BPXI, Umesh Yadav was off the mark and proved to be costly. In reply, BPXI have lost three wickets with Mayank Agarwal scoring 39.
