Rohit Sharma vindicated the Indian team management's call to promote him as an opener in Test cricket with two fantastic hundreds in the first game of the home series against South Africa in Visakhapatnam.
There was a lot of pressure on Rohit with many believing this is his last chance to finally settle down as a Test cricketer. But the limited-overs gem justified the decision with scores of 176 & 127 in India's 203-run victory.
Taking note of the development, former Australia skipper Ian Chappell reckons this is a praiseworthy move by the selectors and exactly what Rohit needed.
"As a one-day opener Rohit has established himself as the next most dangerous batsman to his team-mate Kohli. The move to opening means that he bats ahead of Kohli in Test matches, and this is crucial to revitalising his career in the longer format," Chappell wrote for ESPNcricinfo.
"There appeared to be two things holding Rohit back at Test level: he seemed unsure about what type of player he should be, and at times he seemed overawed by Kohli's glowing presence."
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"The advantage to Rohit opening is, it paints for him a clear picture of how he should play. He obviously needs to be watchful at first, but there's also plenty of opportunity to score quickly with the field up," Chappell added. "If he does get a start, it then means he's more at ease when facing spinners with some runs under his belt."
"This paid big dividends during his twin centuries in Vizag. He clouted an inordinate number of sixes in that Test. This is in sharp contrast to some Test innings I've seen him play down the order, where, early in his innings, he has committed hara-kiri in trying to establish his authority over the spinners," he further wrote.
Chappell cited the example of West Indies greats Gordon Greenidge and Vivian Richards to explain his belief that Rohit has long been held back as a Test cricketer as he feels overawed by the presence of skipper Virat Kohli.
"Rohit's predicament is one I've witnessed before," he wrote. "Whenever Viv Richards entered the arena, I felt Australia's chances of removing West Indies opener Gordon Greenidge improved. Greenidge was a very fine batsman - he probably never realised how good - but such was Richards' aura that Greenidge appeared to shrink in his presence."
"Batting Rohit ahead of Kohli affords him the opportunity to establish himself before the captain arrives at the crease. This, in turn, diminishes any adverse effect the crowd's infatuation with Kohli is likely to have on Rohit."
"If this move works, it will help not only India but also Test cricket, because, even though he's no longer a kid, Rohit still entertains the fans."
(Inputs from ESPNcricinfo)
