Twitter Reactions: Opener Rohit Sharma bags a second-ball duck in the practice game against South Africa

Rohit Sharma, the Test batsman, is a too good a player to sit out of the playing XI according to many. Many eyebrows were raised when Hanuma Vihari was preferred over Rohit in the West Indies Tests. But the former proved his mettle and has sealed his place in the side. This has led to the selectors giving a chance for Rohit Sharma at the top of the order for the upcoming Test series against South Africa.

Accordingly, he was appointed the captain of the Board Presidents XI against the visiting team in a three-day practice game which is currently in progress. Rohit was picked to get a feel of opening in red-ball cricket. However, his stint at the top has been cut short by Vernon Philander. India’s limited-overs vice-captain nicked one behind to the keeper Heinrich Klaasen.

Rohit Sharma was meant to gain confidence by spending some time at the crease but after bagging a duck, it remains to be seen how he fares during the actual Test series.

Divided opinions on Rohit

A lot of former India cricketers have backed Rohit Sharma in the Tests to come good and when he was picked in the squad as an opener, many praised the move. But there were a few who felt that it was unfair on the regular openers like Abhimanyu Easwaran who are doing well consistently in domestic cricket.

Rohit Sharma’s failure as the opener might open up the debate again ahead of the Test series now and the man himself will be under a lot of pressure to perform. This is also deemed as the last chance for the 32-year-old to revie his Test career. The same decision had turned his career dramatically in 2013 but it takes a lot to become a Test opener and it will be interesting to see how Rohit Sharma adapts.

Despite the failure, he looks set to open the innings in the first Test against South Africa along with Mayank Agarwal in Visakhapatnam on October 2. His average in Tests at home is exceptional but all his runs have come while batting at five or six. Meanwhile, after his failure in the practice game, the fans trolled Rohit Sharma hilariously while some bashed him as well.

Here’s how Twitter reacted: