Having picked Rohit Sharma as an opener for the three-match Test series against South Africa, beginning October 2, chief selector MSK Prasad talked up the surprising move saying it will be a good opportunity for the limited-overs gem to finally establish himself as a cricketer in whites. 

"Yes, we are definitely looking (at Rohit) as an opener, and we want to give him an opportunity," Prasad said after the squad announcement on Thursday (September 12). "He is keen, and all of us in the selection committee are keen too. We want to push him, and give him some opportunities up the order, and see where he stands, and then we will take a call. (Like other openers) he will get a fair run."

"He has been opening in white-ball cricket for more than a decade. We feel he has the capability to bat up the order, we have seen that in white-ball cricket, and if he can do that in red-ball cricket, then nothing like it. We have a lot of practice matches coming up, which will be a boost to this side," he added. 

The selection panel also dropped struggling opener KL Rahul and drafted in Shubhman Gill on the back of terrific form at the domestic level. Gill, an India 'A' regular these days, has played 14 first-class matches and scored 1443 runs at an average of 72.15 with best of 268. 

"He has done well both as an opener and in the middle order, so he can be a back-up for both the slots," Prasad said. "That’s the reason when KL [Rahul] was dropped out, we had given him the opportunity, but as keeps playing he’ll get more opportunities because he’s a player for all three formats."

Prasad, however, clarified the door is not at all shut on the highly talented Rahul. "To tell you the truth, I think he’s an exceptional talent. We backed him, but his form has definitely dipped in red-ball cricket. With Shikhar (Dhawan) not there, Murali Vijay has gone out, so you need to stick with one opener. You just can’t keep changing both the openers in the side," he said. 

"Probably with the seniors (having) exited, KL has got more opportunities but unfortunately he was not delivering consistently, and only delivering in patches."

"And even during those patches, you could see that brilliance in him, so that gives you confidence ‘Come on, let’s back him.’ When he’s on song, he’s a treat to watch," Prasad concluded. 

(Inputs from PTI)