Rohit Sharma is one of the most gifted players who has become a formidable member of Indian Cricket Team irrespective of the format. He is unstoppable at the moment and is known for his hard-hitting ability, he is also famously known as ‘The Hitman.’ He has been an enigma of sorts, a batsman who could never convert white-ball brilliance to Test-cricket stability.
But luck has changed in favour Of Rohit Sharma who has made best use of the opportunities in his new role as a Test opener in on series vs South Africa has gone to make 529 runs from four innings vs South Africa, thus becoming only the fifth Indian opener to score 500-plus runs in a Test series. During the Day 2 in the 3rd Test vs South Africa in Ranchi went on to score his maiden Test double to join the elite club of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag as players to score 200 across two formats.
During the press conference, Sharma was quoted saying that, “Kafi kuch hone wala thaa naahin toh kaafi kuch aap likh dete mere barein mein (A lot could have happened had I not performed and you guys (media) would have written a lot about me.So it was about making most of the opportunities I got. I knew I had to make full use of it, otherwise, media would have written against me. Now I know everyone will write good things about me.”
The Mumbai batsman dream runs continues as a Test opener and South African bowlers are facing the heat. He recently scored his maiden Test double in the 3rd test at Ranchi and led to him breaking Sir Don Bradman’s 71-year-old record for the highest Test average at home after 10-plus innings. At present Rohit Averages 99.84 at home, margin past Bradman’s average of 98.22. The Hit-Man has gone to score 1,298 runs in 18 innings in Tests at home, which consist of six centuries and five half-centuries.
Though it has been a blockbuster start to his career as a Test opener, Rohit himself acknowledged that he has a long way to go and was quoted saying that, “In Tests, it has its challenges. Having played only three Tests as an opener, I know I have a long way to go. I am not reading too much into these three Tests. Of course, I will take a lot of positives but I am not reading too much into it.”
He further added “Opening the batting is a different challenge to batting at Nos 6-7. It’s just about how you prepare yourself, what you talk to yourself in your mind about what do you want to go out there and achieve. Playing the first ball of the match, compared to facing a delivery after 30-40 overs is a different ball game altogether. There’s nothing in particular that I’ve done in terms of technique.”
Indian Cricket Team declared on 497/9 and reduced South Africa to 9/2 before bad light brought an early end to the second day’s play in the third Test.
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