MSK Prasad explains why Rohit Sharma was picked in India's Test squad for Australia tour

As many would have liked, Rohit Sharma has finally been picked in India’s Test squad and is all set to travel to Australia for the important Test series. The prolific limited-overs opener has been rewarded for his consistency with the bat. Rohit led the Indian team from the front in their victorious Asia Cup campaign. The deputy skipper took over the reins from Virat Kohli who was rested after a hectic tour of England. He scored a magnificent 111* against Pakistan in their Super 4 encounter, and also registered two 50+ scores in the tournament.

More recently, he blew the Windies away with a stellar 152* in the first ODI of the 5-match series in Guwahati. Along with skipper Kohli, he gunned down a steep target of 322 with more than 7 overs to spare. Rohit was touted to feature in the Windies Test series as well, but the selectors decided against picking him.

However, India have one last overseas assignment this year against Australia, and having lost two important Test series against South Africa and England, they’d want to turn things around with a victory Down Under.

A comeback to whites after 11 months

Rohit hence makes a comeback to India’s Test side since last featuring in the Centurion Test against South Africa in January this year. The selectors were obviously asked to provide reasons as to why he was picked for the Australia tour but snubbed for the 5-match Test series against England, to which chief selector MSK Prasad replied, “With regard to Rohit we felt that his nature of play, you know he’s a very good backfoot player, we felt that his game is more suited to playing in Australia.”

The Mumbai batsman had made a fabulous entry to Test cricket. He scored 177 on debut against the Windies in Kolkata back in 2013. Rohit Sharma has played 25 Tests for India, having amassed just under 1479 runs at just under 40. He also has 3 Test centuries under his belt.

India take on Australia in the first Test at the Adelaide Oval which gets underway on December 6. With Steve Smith and David Warner still out of the Australian side, this is perhaps the best chance for Virat Kohli’s boys to triumph Down Under.

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