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The Test match concluded with a victory for India. It also marks the debut of Rohit Sharma as an opener. But the change in fortunes was due to his elevation in the batting order. Will it be replicated in the Test format? A report by Vijayhardik, exclusively for Different Truths.
The opening slot is a point of debate ahead of every Test series India is playing. With a long roster of players that have graced the position of the opener for India, the opening slot was a bit of a musical chairs. The replacements for these people either being injured or failing to cope with the game at the international stage have not lasted long.
It was in this conundrum, where Rohit Sharma was proposed to open in the longer format as well. He was hailed a prodigy when he burst onto the scene in 2007.
It was in this conundrum, where Rohit Sharma was proposed to open in the longer format as well. He was hailed a prodigy when he burst onto the scene in 2007. Indian experts were gushing about his game. He did provide a glimpse of his talent in the 2007, T-20 WC with a half century in a crucial game against South Africa. Later in 2008, he showed he was one to watch out for in the future with a gritty half century against Australia in a successful chase during the Commonwealth Bank tri-series.
However, apart from a few sparks of brilliance Rohit Sharma could replicate those feats with consistency. The middle order bat despite having oodles of talent was not able to convert it into performance. He frittered away many chances and threw his wicket away at inopportune moments. And the manner in which he used to get out agonized and agitated many.
With stalwarts like Sehwag, Tendulkar and Gambhir out of the ODI setup, Rohit Sharma was selected once again to play in the Indian jersey. But this time, he was given the role of an opener.
As a result, he spent many years on the sidelines. Playing with the team for a few series and tournaments and then would be dropped for lack of performance. With stalwarts like Sehwag, Tendulkar and Gambhir out of the ODI setup, Rohit Sharma was selected once again to play in the Indian jersey. But this time, he was given the role of an opener.
He began his stint as an opener during the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. India began their campaign against South Africa with a new look opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan at Cardiff. He scored a sublime 65 and got out trying to score big after a rousing partnership of 127. After that innings, his fortunes changed.
Today, Rohit is considered one of the best players of white ball cricket and rated among the best openers of the world. He has many records against his name. Currently, he is the only person on the planet to score three double centuries in one day cricket.
Today, Rohit is considered one of the best players of white ball cricket and rated among the best openers of the world. He has many records against his name. Currently, he is the only person on the planet to score three double centuries in one day cricket. Playing one such knock he alone score 264 in an innings against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens and it is highest individual score by a player in an ODI. He is fondly known as the ‘Hitman’.
He has an equally impressive CV in the T20 format. Apart from leading the Mumbai franchise the Mumbai Indians to the title in the Indian Premier League, he owns quite a few records on the international arena as well. Currently, he holds the record being the highest run scorer in T20 internationals. While that is his individual record, he was also part of the team that won the World Cup in 2007.
But coming to the purer version of cricket, Test cricket, his record resembles his record as a white ball player batting in the middle order.
But coming to the purer version of cricket, Test cricket, his record resembles his record as a white ball player batting in the middle order. Though he began his Test career on an impressive note with a magnificent 177 on debut against West Indies, it went down a slippery slope from them on.
While one could argue he did not have a defined role in the team, he was filling in the void left by VVS Laxman. Most of his innings in the Test team came at the number 6 position. His career graph in Tests was replicating his career graph in the shorter formats before he became an opener. He was not showing much promise.
A batsman of his caliber who has over 12 years of international experience has just played 27 Tests and scored about 1500 runs. Apart from a few sparse innings of note, his career in the longest format has been a struggle.
His stats are a testament to it. A batsman of his caliber who has over 12 years of international experience has just played 27 Tests and scored about 1500 runs. Apart from a few sparse innings of note, his career in the longest format has been a struggle. But with opening dilemma haunting the Indian Test squad, his name was thrown into the ring as an opener.
After a few deliberations, Rohit Sharma was drafted into the Test squad against South Africa. The team management had sent the word out that Rohit would be playing the first game against South Africa and would be opening the innings. Though he was being sent in to play in a position he was comfortable with, the doubts remained.
In the first Test against South Africa, which concluded a few hours ago, he answered his detractors in style. He became the first opener to score hundreds in both the innings on his first stint at the job.
In the first Test against South Africa, which concluded a few hours ago, he 
answered his detractors in style. He became the first opener to score hundreds in both the innings on his first stint at the job. In the first innings, he respected the conditions and the bowlers and then unleashed his wide array of strokes en route to a masterful 176. As the situation demanded he was much more attacking in the second innings as India needed quick runs. Rohit lead the charge from the front scoring a brilliant 127.
His scintillating performance has shut the mouths of his detractors for the time being. With a couple more Tests against South Africa and a series against Bangladesh to follow, he will have more opportunities to cement his position in the role of an opener in the Test setup. As the games are a part of India’s home season, Rohit Sharma might not have to struggle too much to get his runs.
But the tongues will start wagging once again when India will have their next overseas assignment. He might have scored runs over the world in the shorter formats but playing with the red ball is completely different ball game.
But the tongues will start wagging once again when India will have their next overseas assignment. He might have scored runs over the world in the shorter formats but playing with the red ball is completely different ball game. His performance in South Africa, New Zealand, England and Australia will determine if Rohit Sharma has arrived on the Test scene as well.
Photos sourced by the author from the Internet
