This former Indian captain feel Rohit will not score in Champions Trophy:- As the 10th edition of IPL draws closer to its conclusion, all the attention is steadily shifting towards the all-important champions trophy starting in less than two weeks’ time in the United Kingdom. Many experts believe that a strong foundation laid by opening batsmen is of utmost importance in order to build a formidable total in English conditions.
India’s triumph in the previous edition of the tournament was testament to this fact when the opening duo of Rohit sharma and Shikhar Dhawan repeatedly got India of to some solid starts. These two along with jadeja were the chief architects of India’s successful tourney four years back.
While the Indian fans will be hoping for a repeat of 2013 from these two, a former indian legend is worried about the form of the opener Rohit sharma leading into the competition. Rohit sharma has had a mediocre IPL by his lofty standards.
In addition to his patchy form, he has been batting in the middle order for mi this season. Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin isn’t pleased with his batting order and feels it will be a big task for Rohit to perform in England next month.
“When you are an opening batsman, you should open. I always feel that the best players should play the first 20 overs. If your best batsmen are playing after 8-10 overs in T20s and after 30 overs in a 50-overs game, there”s no use. Rohit Sharma is a good player, and I was very surprised to see him bat at No. 3 or 4 or 5 (for MI),” Azharuddin said here on Thursday talking to a DNA reporter on the sidelines of a selection camp for True Premier League, a cricket talent hunt that identifies young talented players from all areas of Maharashtra.
Despite a lot of pressure of picking youngsters like Rishabh pant and inform veteran Gambhir from the outside, selectors played it safe in picking the squad for India’s pursuit of defending the trophy, as they banked on experienced and deterred from experimenting too much.
Rohit sharma and Shikhar Dhawan remains important pillars of indian batting line-up, both of them will have to make sure that they repay the faith of the selectors by providing india with brisk and stable starts on most occasions.
“If the openers give a good start, we can reach 275-280. In English conditions, with the ball moving and overcast skies, that”s a good score. In England (performance of openers) matters a lot because if you expose your No. 3 or No. 4 or No. 5 batsmen early, you might not do well,” Azhar added.
There may be some doubt over Rohit’s calibre as a batsman in test cricket, but there is none denying the fact that he is one of the most destructive player once set in limited overs cricket. While the pressure is building on the elegant right-hander, a big stage and his favourite opening position might turn out to be the ingredients that he needs to get back to his best.
