Batting ahead of Virat vital to Rohit’s Test career
After his triumphant 2013 entrance into the Test arena, Rohit gradually faded to the point where it took him another 35 innings to reach three figures again. His moderate success in the intervening period meant he was in and out of the Indian side without ever cementing a spot in the batting line-up.
Most of those innings were played at either five or six but in what appears to be a last ditch effort to resurrect his five-day career, he was promoted to open in the first Test against South Africa. under his belt.
This paid big dividends during his twin centuries as he clouted an inordinate number of sixes in that Test. This is in sharp contrast to some Test innings I’ve seen him play down the order where, early in his innings, he’s committed hari-kari in trying to establish his authority over the spinners.
The Indian selectors deserve credit for this calculated gamble to resurrect Rohit’s career. No doubt their main priority was to help India win Test matches but the longer form of the game needs every available exciting player.
Rohit is a very watchable batsman. When I first saw him play his horizontal bat shots in a 2008 ODI series against Australia, I thought; “Boy, this kid can really play.”
The fact that eleven years later he’s still trying to establish himself as a Test batsman is perplexing. However, if this latest move works it will not only help India but also Test cricket because, even though he’s no longer a kid, he still entertains the fans.
BATTING ROHIT AHEAD OF KOHLI DIMINISHES ANY ADVERSE EFFECT THAT THE CROWD’S INFATUATION WITH INDIA SKIPPER IS LIKELY TO HAVE ON THE BATSMAN