Will be happy to see Rohit Sharma opening the batting in Tests: Ajinkya Rahane

Rohit Sharma’s Test career has not flourished by any stretch of the imagination. Even as his numbers at home have been stupendous, the Mumbai batsman has flattered to deceive in overseas conditions, especially in tough conditions. Moreover, Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari’s consistent shows in the middle order has kept Rohit out of the side in the longest format.

However, KL Rahul’s poor form has meant that the team management now wants to Rohit to be tried out as the opener along with Mayank Agarwal. It was in 2013 that he started doing well in ODIs and T20Is after being entrusted to open the batting. MSK Prasad, the chairman of selectors communicated about the same before the three-match series versus Faf du Plessis’ South Africa.

I said in West Indies also: Rahane

In the meantime, Rahane, also the vice-captain of the Test team, said that he’ll be more than happy to see him come as the opener. Moreover, he mentioned that a player of the calibre of Rohit shouldn’t be sitting out, bearing in mind the talent the 32-year-old possesses.

“I don’t know yet whether Rohit will open the innings. If he does, I will be happy for him. I said in West Indies also, it is hard to see a special talent like Rohit sitting out,” Rahane was quoted as saying during a promotional event.

Rahane also talked about the different between playing Test and the limited-overs formats. Rohit last played Test cricket in Australia last year at the MCG and turned up with a half-century. He missed the Sydney Test in the same tour in order to attend the birth of his daughter.

“He has worked so hard and if he gets an opportunity, I am sure, he will do well. We all know the quality he has – special talent. Test cricket is all about mindset and ODI cricket, you can just go out there and back yourself. In Test cricket, sometimes if two bowlers are bowling good spells, you need to respect that and come out strong and play your game after that,” Rahane added.

Rohit had a stupendous World Cup where he notched five centuries and became the first batsman to achieve the milestone in the history of the mega event. He didn’t get to play a single Test in the West Indies and that raised a lot of eyebrows.

Watch: Sreesanth’s IPL controversy timeline