Rohit Sharma is certainly one of the modern-day greats when it comes to limited-over cricket. Late in his career, the Mumbai batsman is trying to establish himself as a Test opener. At 34, Rohit will face a new challenge and probably one of the toughest in his career as he gears up to open the innings for the first time in Test cricket in English conditions.
Rohit loves playing in England, albeit on batsman-friendly conditions in white-ball cricket. The India opener has scored 1335 runs, including 7 hundreds, at an average of 66.75. Not many can forget the record-breaking 5 hundreds he had hit in the 2019 World Cup in the Old Blighty.
However, Rohit has played only one Test in England and that came in 2014 when he batted at No. 6. Since his elevation as a Test opener in 2019, Rohit has been quite impressive but he will be gearing up for the English test. Rohit has been picked in the 20-man squad for the England tour, wherein India will play 6 Tests, including the World Test Championship final.
Rohit Sharma’s childhood coach Dinesh Lad is confident that the India opener will be able to get used to the Dukes ball and the seaming conditions in England but has urged his ward to focus more and be patient. Lad heaped praise on Rohit for standing out from the rest in difficult conditions at home against England.
“But talking about the recent home series against England on turning tracks, Rohit played proper cricketing shots while others seemed to struggle.
“So I am sure he will adjust his game in England as well because it’s all about adjusting to different conditions at the highest level.
“Yes, he might some face problems because the ball swings in England more than in any other country and you have to be extremely focused in order to handle that movement.
“But if he faces the quality bowlers that India have during net sessions or intra-squad matches, then it might help him to acclimatise to the conditions better,” he added.
Dinesh Lad highlighted that Rohit Sharma had thrown away good starts without being able to convert them in Australia earlier this year and warned the India opener, saying it’s important to carry on and get a big score for the team in English conditions.
“Even in Australia earlier this year, the way he batted caught everyone’s eye and he made shot-making look so easy while playing the fast bowlers. He never seemed like getting out, but again, there were a few innings where he threw his wicket away. He can’t afford to do that this time around,” Lad said.
India are expected to depart to the UK in the first week of June. The players are currently in quarantine in Mumbai. India play the WTC Final against New Zealand from June 18. The 5-Test series against England gets underway from August 4.
