Former cricketer VVS Laxman believes star batsman Rohit Sharma, who will most likely replace opener Mayank Agarwal in the India XI for the third Test against Australia beginning Thursday at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), can score a big hundred if he can get his eye in.
Rohit missed the first two Tests of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy as he was serving his quarantine period in Sydney. He had arrived late in Australia because of a hamstring injury he sustained in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“Definitely one of the batsman has to miss out, probably Rohit Sharma will come in place of Mayank Agarwal, because Rohit, since the South Africa series has been a regular opener. He has a tremendous record as an opening batsman,” Laxman said while speaking on Star Sports show Cricket Connected.
“I think the Indian cricket team will be very pleased to have Rohit Sharma back, especially when Virat (Kohli) is not there, you want more experience in the Indian dressing room, because now is the perfect opportunity for us to go 2-1 in Sydney and then probably win 3-1.
“Rohit Sharma himself would like to showcase his talent, because I always feel that his style of batting and talent is very suited for the Australian wicket. So, if he gets his eye in, if he sees through the new ball, I’m sure that a big hundred is on the cards as far as Rohit’s batting is concerned,” he added.
Right-handed batsman KL Rahul has been ruled out of the remaining two Tests of the ongoing four-match series against Australia and will fly home after he sprained his left wrist while batting in the nets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
A statement from the Indian cricket board (BCCI) on Tuesday said, “KL Rahul sprained his left wrist while batting in the nets at the MCG during Team India’s practice session on Saturday. The wicketkeeper-batsman will not be available for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as he will need about three weeks’ time to recover completely and regain full strength.”
“He will now return to India and head to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for further rehabilitation of his injury,” the statement added.
Though part of both the white ball and red ball squads, Rahul was kept on the bench for the first two Tests. He was likely to play the third Test starting Thursday.