'We debated a lot' - MSK Prasad reveals how Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri gave a new lease of life to Rohit Sharma in Tests

Not long ago, Rohit Sharma‘s Test career was going nowhere. After the 2019 World Cup, he was not picked in the XI for the West Indies Tests. But KL Rahul’s consistent woes facing the new ball meant India had to think about Rohit whose name was in the discussion from all quarters. The then chief selector MSK Prasad has now thrown light on how the team management decided to go with the limited-overs vice-captain as an opener in Tests.

Rohit had scored five centuries in the World Cup which was played in England in 2019 and many had reckoned that he should be given a chance to open in the longest format of the game. At the same time, Prithvi Shaw was out of the team due to different issues. Recalling how the decision was made to open with Rohit Sharma, MSK Prasad revealed that his tons in England during World Cup played a big role.

“The Rohit Sharma journey was different. In the last 3-4 his performances in white-ball cricket was legendary, no two ways about it. When someone gets five centuries in England in a ODI World Cup, you have to stand up and notice. So how did his inclusion happen?

“We played Prithvi Shaw, he started brilliant but then his fitness dipped, his form dipped and for whatever reason he was out of the side. Mayank was there but there was a concern over the second opener and with Prithvi’s inconsistencies, we wanted to go with someone reliable and someone experienced,” he said while speaking to Cricbuzz Plus.

We needed one solid guy with experience, says MSK Prasad

Further explaining, MSK Prasad revealed that the selection committee sat down with Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri and debated a lot on the matter. Moreover, a tough domestic season for Priyank Panchal and Abhimanyu Easwaran also meant India didn’t have an opener with confidence to play at the international level. And Rohit had done it in white-ball cricket for a long time.

“If someone is getting five centuries in England, of course it is a white ball but he has tightened his technique. After the World Cup, we sat down with Virat and Ravi in England to discuss how we could bring him in to the side. Unfortunately, Priyank Panchal and AR Easwaran had a little tough season.

“Considering all this we thought we needed one solid guy with experience. Given his performance in white ball cricket, we thought why can’t we try him. We debated a lot,” the 46-year-old further stated. The former India chief selector himself spoke to Rohit Sharma who was delightfully ready to take up the challenge. And as they say, rest is history.

Rather MSK Prasad also felt that if Rohit gets a start in the upcoming Tests in England, the world might get to see a completely different batsman in the longer format. “I personally spoke to Rohit. He was more than happy to take up the challenge. He was prepared for that challenge. We gave him a chance in the BP XI against South Africa.

“He started with a zero but once the Test series began his experience took over and he had a phenomenal start and never looked back. We know he’s a big match player, whether it is the IPL or the World Cup, on big occasions he’ll always deliver. If he gets a start in that WTC Final and in that England series, we’ll see a different Rohit Sharma over the next three years in Test cricket,” Prasad said.