MSK Prasad decides batting slot for Rohit Sharma for Test series vs South Africa

Mumbai: On Thursday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the 15-member Test squad for the upcoming series against South Africa. The selectors after reviewing the performances of the players, decided to include Shubman Gill and drop out of form KL Rahul.

Rahul, who endured a dismal series against the West Indies, managed to amass only 101 from the two-match Test series.

Meanwhile, chief selector MSK Prasad recently had stated, the selectors will definitely think about making Rohit Sharma open in the longer format and confirmed that they’ll discuss about the same.

In an interview with the India Today, MSK Prasad stated, “As selection committee, we haven’t met after the conclusion of the West Indies tour. We will definitely take this (Rohit as an opener) point into consideration when we all meet and discuss about it.”

For much delight to the fans, the prime selector has finally decided to make the hitman open the innings during home Test series versus the Proteas. The chief selector stated that Rohit would be opening the batting with left-hander Mayank Agarwal.

After the team was announced for the home Test series, the chief selector of the Indian National Cricket Team also stated, “Rohit Sharma has been selected in the side as an opener. He will open in the three matches and also for the Board President XI. Want to give him an opportunity to open the innings in Tests.” 

Earlier, former cricketer Adam Gilchrist had backed Rohit Sharma to open the innings for India in the longest format of the game. Former Australian wicket-keeper batsman Adam Gilchrist had stated, “There is no reason why Rohit Sharma cannot be successful in Test cricket. In India, most definitely he can play as an opener. There might be more challenging times abroad in South Africa, England and Australia.”

Moreover, Former India chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar also concurred to Gilchrist’s statement and said that the hitman just needs a chance to perform. “He is a world-class player and has proved it. Give him a platform, and he will perform. He delivered when the whole world was watching during his innings [of 140] against Pakistan in the World Cup. He is a big-match player, so I am sure he will succeed”, Vengsarkar told the Mid-Day during an interview.

For KL Rahul, the West Indies series proved to be costly as he managed to score 82 (44 in the 1st innings, 38 in 2nd), during the first Test match, and 19 (13 in 1st, 6 in 2nd) during the second and final Test match.

During the start of 2018, KL Rahul averaged 22.23 in 15 Test matches, notching up only one 100 and one 50. KL’s overall career average, which was 44.62 before his rough patch, has now crashed down to 34.58 after his woeful Test series versus West Indies.