Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar predicts that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will score a lots of runs in forthcoming Test series between India and South Africa. Two Test matches between the two teams will take place, with the first match scheduled to begin on Tuesday, December 26 in Centurion.
Senior batsmen, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have been left out of the series, so now Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s role will be huge to mentor and provide guidance to the relatively young Indian batting squad.
South Africa’s bowling attack will be missing the services of their some key and experienced fast bowlers, the Indian team has a great chance of winning their first ever test series in South Africa.
“I expect both of them to score lots of runs in these two test matches”-Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar was asked what he expected from Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the two-test series during a segment with “Follow the Blues,” a Star Sports program, to which he said:
“They are experienced batters, who are coming after playing everywhere, so I expect them to score lots of runs in these two Test matches. Not only because they have got so much talent, but this time around, I think the South African attack does not have that edge.”
The former opener for India continued, saying that Anrich Nortje‘s unavailability as well as Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi’s possible absences could be advantageous to the pair to score lot of runs. He further added that the South African bowling lineup lacks a little bit of experience.
“With the absence of Nortje, with the likely absence of Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, the South African attack looks a little bit short on experience, I am not saying short of class. So I feel these two batters will score lots of runs and help the Indian team post a big score.” he elaborated.
In seven Test matches in South Africa, Kohli has scored 719 runs at a remarkable average of 51.35. While Rohit has amassed 123 runs at a pitiful average of 15.38 in four Test matches, he hasn’t had the same kind of success in the Rainbow Nation. So Rohit will have a chance to better his records in this test series.
“Rohit Sharma will have to change his approach completely for Test cricket”-Sunil Gavaskar on the biggest challenge for Rohit Sharma
Sunil Gavaskar was also asked about the challenges Rohit Sharma will face as a skipper and a player heading into the boxing day test match, to which he stated:
“First and foremost, the challenge would be to get your mental state into a Test match situation”
Rohit Sharma decided to play with an aggressive approach during the World Cup to make the most use of the powerplay overs and to give the team a good start.
“He has been batting in the ODI format where he had decided that he was going to be playing the attacking role and try and score as many runs as possible in the first 10 overs of field restrictions,” he added.
The cricketer-turned-commentator, Sunil Gavaskar, highlighted that the Indian skipper will have to change the aggressive approach he had during the World Cup heading into the test series against South Africa.
“He will have to change the approach completely for Test cricket because he will have to think in terms of batting the whole day. If he bats the whole day, then, clearly with the range of shots that he has got, he will be able to end up with 180 or 190 not out at the end of the day and India will be 300-plus,” he commented.
Sunil Gavaskar emphasised that when a captain of the batter, such as Rohit Sharma, makes runs, it gives him greater confidence to lead the team.