Published: Nov 04, 2013, 01:01 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 04, 2013, 01:01 PM (IST)
If Rohit Sharma makes his Test debut against the West Indies, he would be the most experienced international player in the history of cricket before playing the longest format © AFP
Rohit Sharma’s splendid run in One-Day Internationals (ODI) in 2013 has helped him secure a spot in India’s Test squad for the upcoming series against the West Indies. With Sachin Tendulkar set to retire after the series, the Indian selectors would have to rack their brains in order to find a suitable replacement to fill in the No 4 position in the batting line-up. Aayush Puthran feels Rohit’s good form helps the selectors with an ideal option to fill in the void.
“Rohit [Sharma] requires to prove himself, make a lot of runs and maintain consistency in his performance. He is extraordinary in his temperament and techniques. He is capable of breaking my records.”
When Sachin Tendulkar made the above statement a few days after he announced his retirement from One-Day Internationals (ODI) less than a year back, it would’ve been easy to laugh off the prediction.
A year later, in November 2013, George Bailey said, “He (Rohit Sharma) would certainly be one who is in the mix for that spot that will open up after the great man (Sachin Tendulkar) departs in a couple of Tests,” neither were many taken by surprise, nor did the statement seem funny anymore.
The burden of expectation has been as cruel on Rohit as has the generosity of the Indian selectors and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in believing in his cause. Right from the days of playing maidan cricket in Mumbai, he was touted to take over from the Little Master as the next burning flame of Mumbai cricket’s proud culture of batsmanship. Given his abundant gift as a batsman, it was only natural that he was expected to excel at every stage. Even today, he has the 10th best average amongst all batsmen in the history of First-Class cricket.
He did achieve all that was asked of him well enough at every level, before stuttering at the grandest challenge of them all — international cricket.
After a huge ride of inconsistent performances studded with silken artistry in as much measure as callousness, Rohit finds himself under the bracket of underachievers even after gracing international cricket for more than six years.
If at all he goes on to make his Test debut against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens, he would be the most experienced international player in the history of cricket before playing the longest format, for he has already represented India in 144 matches.
However, the one double century against Australia will hold him in good stead to erase the past failures, as it counts for little, well at least now. It will be interesting to watch if the selectors would be tempted to try him at the No 4 position once the Little Master retires. Even as Rohit has scored over a 1,000 runs in ODIs in 2013 already, he may have to battle for that spot with a more proven performer in the form of Virat Kohli, who would be rewarded with a higher position in the batting order.
Rohit has already done well at top of the order in ODIs; and if he does get the No 4 spot in the Test line-up, he would have indeed taken baby steps towards filling in the shoes of Tendulkar.
However it is the bigger deeds that remain to be achieved, and the higher peaks that have to be scaled. It wouldn’t happen overnight or even in a decade. But he can still do well, to continue to give selectors no reason to fret while choosing the ideal candidate at two drop.
Complete coverage of Rohit Sharma’s 209 against Australia at Bangalore
(Aayush Puthran is a reporter with CricketCountry. Mercurially jovial, pseudo pompous, perpetually curious and occasionally confused, he is always up for a light-hearted chat over a few cups of filter kaapi!)
