Team India dominated the opening day’s play in the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia at VCA Stadium in Nagpur on Thursday (February 9).
Riding on Ravindra Jadeja’s five-wicket haul (5/47), India bundled out the visitors for just 177 in the first innings.
At the close of play, the hosts were on 77/1, trailing Australia by 100 runs. While KL Rahul was dismissed for 20, skipper Rohit Sharma stayed unbeaten on 56.
Rohit’s 69-ball knock was studded with 9 fours and 1 six as he truly lived up to the expectations of former India head coach Ravi Shastri.
Before the start of the first Test, Shastri had said that India’s fate in the ongoing Test series can be dictated by the captain’s form.
“His record in India as an opening batsman is stunning,” Shastri told The ICC Review.
“He will dictate terms very early on. I mentioned Ashwin, there'll be a lot of talk of Kohli, there'll be a lot of talk of Pujara. But I think Rohit at the top, if he can set the tone, that'll comfort the dressing room big time.
“But his form can dictate terms in the series, not just because of the runs he'll get, but the pace at which he gets it.”
Rohit Sharma batted with a strike rate of 81.16 and it was all in stark contrast to the Australian innings, where the visiting batters struggled to get going.
“If Rohit stays there, he gets it quickly. He won't allow any bowler to settle,” said Shastri. “Runs will come much like Viru at his best.
“When Virender Sehwag was in form, he made the job for the middle order a lot easier by really taking it to the opposition early on. His role will be that.”
The 2023 edition of Border-Gavaskar Trophy is crucial for India with respect to the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The Rohit Sharma-led side needs to win at least three Tests in the series to qualify for the final, due to be held at the Oval in June 2023.
"I don't think it's a test of his captaincy," Shastri said, when asked about Rohit's credentials as Test captain.
"He's past that. He's a very good captain and he is a smart operator and let's not forget his record in India as an opening batsman is stunning.
"Tactically, I have no issues. He'll do the job. He, he knows what to do, when to do it...I don't think he has to prove tactically or anything to anyone as a captain."
Shastri reckons Rohit's ability to rotate his bowlers is also an undervalued strength.
"Sometimes, just because the ball is turning, you want to keep spinners at both ends going," Shastri said.
"Whereas sometimes you want to break the rhythm of a batter and mix it up – you might want spin, you might want pace at the other end just to mix it up, just to see if there's reverse to bring a guy.
"He's good at all that, when you look at him, he’s tactically smart and all those departments and he's calm, good things may come and composed.
"You won't see him too rattled at all. So, I think it's the right man there and he's at the right time in his career. He is vastly experienced. He knows what he's up against and what's needed more than anything," he concluded.
(With ICC Inputs)
