XtraTime Web Desk: Virat Kohli led Indian cricket team humiliated the hosts West Indies in the Test series by winning it 2-0, but only one thing which will be the team management’s concern was their opening combination in the series. That’s the reason why former India skipper Sourav Ganguly wants the management should give Rohit Sharma an opportunity at the top order of the Test team.
“After the World Cup, India embarked on the tour of West Indies with a few areas and the role of a few cricketers as well to be ironed out,” Ganguly wrote in his column for The TOI on Thursday.
“The opening still remains an area to work on. Mayank Agarwal looks good but will need a few more opportunities. His partner, KL Rahul, though, has flattered to deceive and that creates an opening at the top,” Ganguly opined.
Even before the start of two-Test series in the Caribbean, Ganguly had suggested Rohit to be trusted with the job of an opener in red-ball cricket, considering the confidence he carries after his overwhelming success at top of the order in limited-overs cricket.
“I had suggested earlier about trying Rohit Sharma as an opener in Test cricket and I still believe that he needs to be given an opportunity because he is too good a player to be left out in the cold,” Ganguly wrote.
“After a fantastic World Cup, I believe he will be itching to grab the opportunity to open in Tests. With Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari settling in nicely, there is not much left to play around in the middle order.”
Rohit scored 648 runs, including five centuries, in nine World Cup matches earlier this year.
Talking about a dismal show by the Jason Holder-led West Indies team, Ganguly pointed at lack of “application” by the hosts.
“As has been clearly evident in every form of the contest, West Indies have the talent but in terms of application, they are a long way off. How they manage to resurrect themselves from here on will define the future of West Indies cricket,” the former left-handed batsman reckoned.
Ganguly, like most of the cricket experts around the world, is impressed by the show put up by Indian bowlers, particularly the pacers.
“The revelation has been India’s fast-bowling department, especially Jasprit Bumrah. The rapid strides he has made and the way he is improving, he is sure to dominate world cricket for some time to come.
“Not only his speed, but his variation and control of line and length are worth noticing. He is a threat in all forms of the game and needs to be handled carefully. India’s support staff needs to ensure that Bumrah remains away from injuries,” the ex-skipper wrote.
Ganguly felt that the battery of fast bowlers in the Indian ranks gives the team management a chance to keep all the pacers fresh with intermittent breaks.
“Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami have been a good foil for him (Bumrah); and with Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav and Navdeep Saini waiting in the wings, the Indian pace-bowling department currently has the riches to manage everyone’s workload without affecting the balance of the team,” said the 47-year-old Ganguly.