Former Indian Test skipper and Coach Anil Kumble isn”t so sure about trying Rohit Sharma as a Test opener. In his recent interview with Cricnext, Kumble primarily spoke on the opening hassles for the Indian Test side. Rather, he backed for the inclusion of a cricketer who has done so well in the domestic arena.
“You only know when you actually do that but I am not really sure about pushing Rohit at the top unless it is a desperate situation. Yes, are we in a desperate situation where we are looking for an opener in someone who has done well at the domestic level, is it worth considering that or should Rohit, Yes, he is a high-quality player sitting on the bench, should he be pushed at the top”, said Kumble.
Additionally, Kumble said that KL Rahul hasn”t been at his prime form over time.”I mean it is a tricky situation that KL is in. KL has done well, like you said he has got starts but not converted them, got out. He has struggled, he looked like I think in the last innings, he looked like he is struggling to get bat on the ball, he was not his usual self“, said Anil Kumble.
However, Kumble”s words are in contradiction with those of Sourav Ganguly who backed Rohit as an opener. Even Gambhir and Azharuddin backed his inclusion in tests after continual success in the limited-overs.
The home series against Proteas
Rohit Sharma wasn”t a part of playing XI in the two-match Test series against West Indies. All eyes on the squad selection which is all set to happen in days to come.
On the other hand, the Indian side is now at the top in the Test Championship with 120 points. The three-match Test series against the Proteas will begin by the end of this month. When the sides faced in 2015, India won it 3-0. This will be the first time the sides will be playing in India sans Hashim Amla and Ab De Villiers.