India’s opening woes in Tests seem to have come to an end ever since Rohit Sharma was promoted to the top of the order. The batsman has opened in 23 innings in Tests and eight of them have come overseas. In four such instances, India have managed to cross the 50-run mark without losing a wicket.
Rohit played a crucial role on the first day of the second Test at Lord’s. He scored 83 runs and along with KL Rahul (129) put up a record 126-run opening partnership which led the foundation for the historic victory.
Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar has heaped praise on Rohit after the second Test and opined that the opener has gone a ‘notch higher’ as a batsman.
"(From) whatever I have seen, I feel, he has taken the lead and he has shown the other side of his temperament and how he can change his game and adapt to situation and play accordingly. He has been a leader there and KL (Rahul) has supported him brilliantly," Tendulkar told PTI.
The batting great went on to speak about Rohit’s tendency to get out while attempting a pull shot.
"As far as playing pull shot is concerned (which got him out in the first innings at Lord's), he has cleared the fence with that shot and I am looking at what he has been able to achieve for the team in both Tests. Rohit has left the ball and defended the ball brilliantly or equally well. He was always a fantastic player but seeing his last few innings in England, I can say he has definitely gone a notch higher,” he added.
Tendulkar also shared his thougts on captain Virat Kohli’s poor run of form.
“It is the mind that leads to technical errors and if the start isn't good you start thinking about a lot of things. Because anxiety levels are high you tend to over compensate your movements. When a batsman isn't in good form you either go too far across or don't move your feet at all. That happens to everyone. Form is also your state of mind along with the body working in harmony," he said.
(With PTI inputs)
