Rohit Sharma might be an integral part of India’s limited overs side but his Test career has been a roller-coaster ride so far. With competition growing for places in the starting eleven, it was a perfect chance for Rohit to seal his place in side with the chances he got against South Africa but he failed to impress and in the two Tests he played, he could garner just 26 runs from four innings at an average of 6.50.
While Rohit has faced intense criticism for his inconsistencies, he’s received support from some quarters too. Team director Ravi Shastri has said that they are prepared to be patient with Rohit Sharma.
“He’s still a young man. I’ve absolutely no doubt in my mind, and the team management as well, that we’ve total faith in his abilities and we’re prepared to be patient. because we know, when he explodes, his bat will do the talking,” Shastri told The Times of India.
After waiting in the wings for a long time, Rohit’s career got off to a blistering start with a century in first two Tests, against West Indies. But since then it’s been a roller-coaster ride. He played a couple of crucial innings in Sri Lanka tour and was the second highest run-getter for India but was dropped for the first two Tests against South Africa. However, when he got a chance in the last two Tests, he faltered.
After scores of 2,23,1,0, Sunil Gavaskar had said that Rohit should get back to playing Ranji Trophy to regain his confidence in Tests.
“After failing in Delhi Test, Rohit’s position in team will be in line. But who will replace him? I feel Rohit should start playing in Ranji Trophy to get back to form in the longer format,” Gavaskar told NDTV.
“Today he got out to a brilliant delivery. But his feet movement was not good. This is a typical sign of a player who is not in form,” he added.
In fact, Rohit had come into the third Test against South Africa on the back of a century for Mumbai against Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy after being released from the India squad.
Another former player player who has come out in support of Rohit is former New Zealand captain John Wright who was also the coach of IPL franchise Mumbai Indians for two years (2013,2014) and worked in close quarters with Rohit who captains the franchise.
“Sometimes players like Rohit — because they’re so brilliant in the way that they play, because of their shot-making ability — take more risks,” Wright told The Hindu.
“I’m sure there’s a place for Rohit Sharma among the top six batsmen in India in any form of the game.
“Sometimes you’ve got to stick with players. I hope he succeeds at Test cricket because he’s a match-winner.”
In his 16-Test career so far, Rohit has averaged a mediocre 33.18 with two centuries and four fifties, it’s been tough going for him but with the team director coming out in support of him, he’s received a huge shot in the arm and hope with regards to his Test career.