Aggressive, fearless Rohit Sharma ready for Test debut: VVS Laxman
Rohit Sharma, who ended with a world-record 491 runs in recently concluded seven-match ODI series against Australia, is now more ready than ever to make his Test debut, says former India batting great Sunil Gavaskar.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: November 05, 2013 09:10 PM IST
The India vs West Indies two-Test series will forever be remembered for Sachin Tendulkar's retirement. Once the dust settles and India heads to South Africa for a challenging tour, there may be a new entrant in the Test playing XI. Rohit Sharma, who scored a series-winning double century in a one-day international against Australia on Saturday, is primed to make his Test debut against the Windies. While his talent has always been recognised, Rohit's temperament is coming to the fore as well.
"Yes, absolutely, he is ready to make his Test debut," former India Test stalwart VVS Laxman told NDTV in an exclusive chat on Tuesday. "I have always felt that he is one of the most talented and gifted young batsmen in India currently."
Rohit finished the series against Australia 491 runs at an average of 122.75 - which is a world record for highest amount of runs in a bilateral series. "It is great to see the consistency he has maintained, especially since he has opened the batting in one-dayers. Rohit defines aggression and fearless cricket and I am looking foward to seeing him in whites," added Laxman.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar also agreed with VVS Laxman's take on Rohit Sharma. "Rohit has been ready for a while. I don't think he can be more ready than he is now for the highest level of the game, that is Test cricket," said Gavaskar.
Rohit is reportedly set to take Ravindra Jadeja's position in the Test team, as the all-rounder is sidelined shoulder strain. "India will go in to the first Test with six specialist batsmen and four bowlers, which has worked for them in the past," added Gavaskar. He also said that while Jadeja's bowling ability will be missed, he has yet to prove himself as a batsman.
India have just had a three-day gap between the completion of the ODI series against Australia and the upcoming Test series, including Diwali festivities in between. However Gavaskar believes that this is the nature of modern-day cricket. "The good players will always make the adjustment between ODI and Test cricket with ease. Despite a short gap, the modern cricketer is prepared for the challenge and it will not be much of a problem," he said.