There is no doubt—Rohit Sharma is enjoying his finest season as an India batsman. Five centuries to top the batting charts at the World Cup in England,only whetted his appetite as he made light of his start as a Test opener, 12 seasons into his India career, by amassing 529 runs at an average of 132.25 against South Africa.
It is Sharma’s instant success as Test opener that has caught the imagination of the cricket world, and comparisons with Virender Sehwag as a middle-order batsman who dominated new-ball attacks in Tests, have only built expectations. Sharma doesn’t exactly see a mirror image, but is particularly happy to be spoken in the same breath as his once senior teammate.
“It is people’s perception that we bat in a similar fashion and all that,” he said in an interview. “But Sehwag is Sehwag. What he has done is remarkable. For me what will be important is what the team is expecting me to do, if I am able to do that I’ll be more than happy. Of course, Sehwag played in a way he loved to, and the team wanted him to play. It is the same situation for me here as well. I want to play in that fashion where the team wants me to play. And if I am able to do that, I solve a lot of problems.”
Sharma, speaking after being unveiled as brand ambassador of global sports brand Trusox, said the short break following the South Africa Tests, which Virat Kohli’s side swept 3-0, has helped him process his success as a Test opener.
“Whatever I thought I wanted to do on the field I managed to do, more than not, because it may not always happen…” he said. “You feel proud when you think of doing things and you are able to achieve most of it. That is what I felt when the series got over and I went home, just to lie down and think about it. I felt very happy.”
