Shoaib Akhtar compares Rohit Sharma with a legendary Pakistani batsman

After a disappointing outing against South Africa in the ongoing Test series, Rohit Sharma has been compared to a Pakistani legend by former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar. Just like many cricket fans, the “Rawalpindi Express” was also shocked when the news broke out that Ajinkya Rahane was not in the starting XI. Virat Kohli had picked Rohit Sharma over the vice-captain following a string of good performances against Sri Lanka, but it backfired as Rohit just scored 78 runs in 4 innings against the Proteas.

Although Rohit Sharma is a permanent fixture in the limited overs format, his Test stats need to improve. “Hitman” has scored a meagre 1479 runs in 25 Test matches at an average of just less than 40. He has just scored three centuries whilst donning the white uniform.

The Nagpur-born batsman is one of the best when it comes to ODIs or T20s. He has been selected in the ODI team of the year on multiple occasions and was also a part of a definitive T20 team of the year 2017. Moreover, his three double-centuries and ability to hit boundaries with ease speaks volumes of the immense talent he possesses.

“There is a lot of debate on Rohit. We all know he is a great talent but in the world, we are living you have to perform. He is very talented, I see shades of Inzamam-ul-Haq in him,” Akhtar said as per quotes on India TV. “Unfortunately, he has not delivered on what was expected of him. And not having Ajinkya Rahane was shocking because he is your most technically correct batsman.”

With very less county experience in recent times, it is shocking how Rohit Sharma gets picked for overseas Test tours given his record. With Ajinkya Rahane, one of the complete batsmen in the side, breathing down his neck, Rohit Sharma must be swift in grabbing his Test opportunities, or he could soon find himself on the bench.

Praise for Hardik

Shoaib Akhtar went on to praise Hardik Pandya and also said, “India have always been known for their batting but nowadays you are seeing emergence of fast bowlers too but still I would say long way to go.”

India face South Africa in the 3rd and final Test of the series which will be followed by a 6-match ODI series and a 3-match T20I series. It will be interesting to see if Ajinkya Rahane replaces Rohit Sharma in the last Test.

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