Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has played down concerns over Rohit Sharma’s current form. Sharma scored 332 runs in 16 IPL 2023 matches at an average of 20.75 and a strike rate of 132.80 and thus he failed to deliver as a batter for Mumbai Indians.
However, Manjrekar feels we should keep Rohit’s IPL form aside and his batting has become almost faultless in Test cricket. Rohit had delivered in the 2021 Test series against England while opening the innings for the first time in foreign conditions.
The right-hander scored 368 runs in four Test matches against England at an average of 52.57. Moreover, Rohit scored 120 runs in the first Test match against Australia earlier in the year in the Border-Gavaskar series 2023.
Sanjay Manjrekar said on Star Sports Game Plan, “Keep his IPL form aside because he looked out of form in the last IPL as well but we saw the amazing batting he did in the first Test match against Australia.”
“I believe the stage of his career Rohit Sharma is in, Test cricket seems to be the most exciting format for him just like it has always been for Virat Kohli. So his batting has become almost faultless in Test cricket at the moment.”
Manjrekar feels there is one problem that Rohit Sharma has in Test cricket as he gets out while playing the pull shots. Rohit is regarded as one of the best pullers of the game but he also gets out while playing his favorite shot.
“There is just one problem we have seen in Test matches – he gets out while playing the pull shot at times. They have bowled him a short ball and kept a fielder there. That is an instinctive shot.”
Manjrekar feels Rohit plays the pull shot in the air in ODI cricket because of his technique and it sometimes leads to his downfall.
“If you see in ODI cricket, his pull shot is extremely interesting. His backlift doesn’t come from the top, so that he can play the ball down. He has a very low backlift, he just picks up the ball and the bat then goes behind his back in the follow-through to give the power.”
Rohit is going to hold the key for India at the top of the order along with Shubman Gill. The WTC Final will be played at the Oval from June 7.
