Former India batsman VVS Laxman lauded opener Rohit Sharma and called him a great role model from youngsters and that they can learn a lot from his story. The Indian opener made his Test debut back in 2013 but had to wait eight long years to score a century in the format while playing outside India.

Rohit Sharma slammed 127 in the second innings of the ongoing 4^th Test against England at the Oval, helping India put up a lead of 171 runs with 7 wickets in hand at the end of day three. He also added 153 runs for the second wicket with Cheteshwar Pujara who made 61 runs and had previously added 83 runs with fellow opener KL Rahul, who made 46.

"It is a great example for the youngsters. You never stop learning. You never stop adapting. There is only one constant which is change. All the great players I played with and all the great players we are watching them play( and I believe Rohit Sharma is a great player) are always working on their game and always striving to improve only then can they achieve excellence. Rohit is a great role model, and it's a great story for the youngsters to learn from,” Laxman lauded Rohit’s innings while speaking to ESPNCricinfo.   

ENG v IND 2021: "It was a fair decision, but his disappointment understandable," says Laxman on Rahul's dismissal

Rohit Sharma’s Test career has seen an upwards trend since he started opening for the Indian team against South Africa in 2019. He had slammed a double-ton and century in each innings of a Test in his debut series as an opener.

VVS Laxman then continued to speak about the importance of maintaining uniform performance levels in all three international cricket formats but mentioned that Rohit knows he will only be remembered as a great player if his record in Test cricket is exemplary.

He said, "For him, he knows that at the end of his career, when he hangs up his boots, he will be recognized as a great player if his performances in Test match cricket match his performance in white-ball cricket. That's the case with a lot of cricketers I interact with. That's why players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root all of them are role models."

India ended day 3 of the 4^th Test at 270/3 with Virat Kohli unbeaten on 22* and Ravindra Jadeja on 9*.

(ESPNCricinfo inputs)