IND v WI 2018: Nikhil Chopra believes Indian selectors need to show faith in Rohit Sharma in Tests

Rohit has played 25 Tests and has scored 1479 runs for India so far.

Rohit Sharma ignored for West Indies Test series | Getty Images

Nikhil Chopra, former Indian player, and cricket analyst has questioned the national selectors’ decision to once again ignore the in-form opener Rohit Sharma for the home Test series against the West Indies, saying the decision is “a little baffling”.

Mayank Agarwal and Mohammed Siraj's domestic exploits were rewarded with maiden India call-ups, as they have been included in the 15-man squad for the two-match Test series against Windies starting from October 4 (Thursday) in Rajkot. While Shikhar Dhawan was a notable omission from the squad, Rohit’s exclusion really did not go well with the cricket experts and former greats.

Besides Indian cricket fans, Harbhajan Singh also slammed national selectors for ignoring the Mumbai batsman for the Tests against the West Indies, while their decision left Sourav Ganguly surprised.

Meanwhile, if Rohit's performance is to be studied in isolation, then he has scored 583 runs from 14 matches and has the average of 58 only behind captain Virat Kohli in that period and Nikhil believes that the opener has the potential to deliver in the Red-ball game, only needs opportunity.  

Chopra told India Today on Monday (October 1), “It is a little baffling. How many batsmen apart from Virat Kohli have got you runs in overseas conditions. If you look at white ball cricket, Rohit Sharma's name is right up there. Sometime you have to say, that I believe in the young man's potential.”

However, former International admitted that Rohit had a couple of bad matches in the longest format of the game, but deserves more opportunity to prove himself and selectors should show faith on him.

He signed off by saying, “He has had a couple of bad games with the red ball, give him the opportunity. Show some faith, give him the full run through the series. If he can get you runs in the shorter format, the way he does, then I am sure you show a little bit of faith in his ability, Rohit will deliver.”

(Inputs: India Today)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 02 Oct, 2018

    Share Via