Mumbai: India’s Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane finds it ‘hard’ to see Rohit Sharma sitting out as he seeks to revive his career in the traditional format in the role of an opener.
Ajinkya Rahane was back in form during the West Indies series and along with Hanuma Vihari, he has cemented the two available slots in the middle-order, prompting the team management to try out Rohit Sharma as an opener in the upcoming South Africa Tests.
Rahane was asked to give his opinion on Rohit’s new role and the ever non-controversial right-hander didn’t give a direct reply.
“You want an answer actually? I don’t know yet whether Rohit will open the innings. If he does, I will be happy for him. I said in West Indies also, it is hard to see a special talent like Rohit sitting out,” Rahane said during a ‘Meet and Greet’ event organised by his employers Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).
Rohit Sharma has three hundreds in 27 Tests and an average of a shade under 40. Many believe that Rohit’s audacious strokeplay has brought about his downfall, but Ajinkya Rahane thinks otherwise.
“He (Rohit) has worked so hard and if he gets an opportunity, I am sure, he will do well,” Rahane exuded confidence. “We all know the quality he has – special talent. Test cricket is all about mindset and ODI cricket, you can just go out there and back yourself. In Test cricket, sometimes if two bowlers are bowling good spells, you need to respect that and come out strong and play your game after that,” pointed out Rahane.
Having last played an ODI 18 months ago, Rahane wants to have another shot at the 50-over format.
“Apart from Tests, I really enjoy playing ODI cricket as well. I want to come back to the ODIs. Right now, the focus is completely on this series. After the Australia series, there was a long break. When I got to know that I was not part of the World Cup squad, my plan was to play county cricket and luckily the Hampshire people called me and asked about the county cricket. Time at Hampshire was well spent,” informed Rahane.
Rahane pointed out that India need to respect the likes of fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and spinner Keshav Maharaj when they take on South Africa.
“(Kagiso) Rabada is a quality bowler and a wicket-taker. It doesn’t matter how the the pitch is. We have to respect him and the other bowlers. They have got a relatively young team, but their bowling attack – fast bowlers and spinners are experienced. Keshav Maharaj has played county cricket and did well in red ball cricket. You need to respect them,” Rahane signed off.
