Rohit Sharma recently shared how Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri played pivotal roles in reviving his red-ball career. He recounted how the then Test captain Kohli and former head coach Shastri encouraged him to play a practice game in the longest format, where he got out on the very first ball. Despite this initial setback, Rohit expressed his intent to attack from the beginning, much like his approach in white-ball cricket. Rohit’s chance to open for the first time came in October 2019, where he played a scintillating knock of 176 against South Africa.
Rohit acknowledged the impact of Kohli and Shastri on Jatin Sapru’s YouTube channel, saying, “In the second innings, I was very grateful to Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli for giving me the opportunity to bat up the order. It wasn’t an easy decision to promote me in Tests. They trusted me.” He added, “They asked me to play one practice match, which I did. I got out on the very first ball, but I realized that I didn’t have any other choice. It felt like a second birth in Test cricket. I knew I had to grab this opportunity, whether it meant opening, batting at No. 5 or 6, or even lower down the order.”
Rohit Sharma’s change in fortunes
Rohit made his Test debut in 2013 but struggled to cement his spot in the team. He played only 27 Tests till 2018, scoring 1585 runs with three hundreds and 10 fifties, and wasn’t a regular in the squad. Determined to make a comeback, Rohit embraced the challenge and wanted to bat with a free mindset. His new approach was evident during the second Test against Bangladesh when he smashed two consecutive sixes off the first two balls in India’s first innings.
“Ravi bhai was eager for me to open”
“My response to them was clear: I’ll play my natural game and won’t take the pressure of trying to survive. I’m going to play freely. If the ball is there, whether it’s the first ball of the Test or not, I’m going to hit it. They gave me the freedom to do what I wanted.”
Rohit further revealed that Ravi Shastri had been keen on him opening in Tests since 2015, back when Shastri was the Team India director. “Ravi Bhai was very eager for me to open in Tests for a long time. He told me in 2015 that I should consider it as an option. He wanted me to open, but the decision wasn’t in my hands.”
Rohit as Test opener
The decision to have Rohit open the innings, much like in limited-overs cricket, turned out to be a turning point in his career. Since taking up the opener’s role in Tests, Rohit has amassed 2594 runs in 34 Tests, including nine centuries and seven fifties. This move not only stabilized India’s top order but also transformed Rohit into a prolific Test opener.
The endorsement from both Kohli and Shastri provided Rohit with the confidence to play his natural game in the longest format, a style that suits his attacking instincts. His Test career, which once seemed uncertain, has now blossomed, making him a vital part of India’s red-ball squad. The gamble of pushing Rohit up the order has undoubtedly paid off, showcasing his versatility and class across all formats.
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