Rohit Sharma has the ability to hit a double century in Tests even in overseas conditions: Wasim Jaffer

Rohit Sharma’s career took a whole new turn altogether after he donned the opener’s hat. The right-hander’s batting expeditions improved drastically with time and he eventually emerged as a modern-day great. Combining sublime batting technique with his impeccable timing, Rohit, over the years, has etched many records to his name.

Rohit has donned the Indian jersey in 224 ODIs, 108 T20Is, and 32 Tests so far, where he has gathered 14029 runs across all three formats. He also has three double tons under his name in One-day Internationals. 2019 was definitely a memorable year for Rohit, especially for his performance in the World Cup.

To top it off, he even proved his dominance in Test cricket by smashing 529 runs against South Africa, including his maiden double hundred. Following Rohit’s impressive performance with the red ball in his debut series as a Test opener, many fans believed that he had stamped his authority in the traditional format too.

Rohit understands his game a lot more now: Wasim Jaffer

Former India internationals– Aakash Chopra and Wasim Jaffer– recently shared their views on Rohit’s career as a Test opener. Chopra asked Jaffer if he saw Rohit Sharma succeeding as an overseas opener in Test cricket, considering that he has scored a double century in India. Jaffer responded by saying that Rohit understands his game a lot more now.

Jaffer also pointed out Rohit’s 2019 World Cup knocks against South Africa and Pakistan, where the right-hander had stitched his inning in a mature way. Jaffer also claimed that Rohit holds the potential to smash a double century in Tests even on the foreign soil.

“I think so. I feel he understands his game a lot more now. This is not the Rohit Sharma that we have seen before. He knows where he needs to calm down,” said Jaffer on Chopra’s YouTube channel. “Even in ODI cricket, if you see the World Cup, the ball was moving around in few matches and he held back. He held back for 8-10 overs against South Africa and Pakistan,” he added.

“I feel in overseas conditions in the first 30-45 minutes he is a bit vulnerable. I think if he survives that, he has the ability to get double hundreds even there,” Jaffer further said.

Jaffer iterated that Rohit has developed the ability to shape his innings according to the demand of the situation. Rohit puts his foot on the accelerator when he realises that batting conditions have become better, according to Jaffer, the highest run-scorer in the history of Ranji Trophy.

“Then when he understands that the conditions have become better, he has that ability to accelerate and suddenly his strike rate would go up to 120-130.

“So, I feel he is in that headspace that he understands where he needs to take a backseat and where he can attack. And he has both the games,” opined Jaffer.

Here’s the video: