IND vs AUS: 'The Move To Open In Test Cricket Saved Career Of Rohit Sharma' - Ian Chappell

According to former Australia captain Ian Chappell, the career of Rohit Sharma was rescued when India decided to begin the innings in a Test match. As the hosts destroyed Australia by innings and 132 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India’s skipper struck a century.

In an article for his Mid-Day column, Chappell said that the decision of Rohit Sharma to open for India preserved his Test career and that taking over as captain also contributed significantly to his comeback in the format.

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Captaincy Also Played A Big Part In Revival Of Rohit Sharma: Ian Chappell

“The move to open in Test cricket saved Rohit’s career. He looked like he might waste his enormous skill down the order but batting above Virat Kohli has prevented him from being overawed by the ex-captain’s popularity. Captaincy has also played a big part in Rohit’s revival; the discipline required to lead a team has added another level to his batting,” wrote Chappell.

The veteran cricketer claimed that against Australia in Nagpur, the Indian captain produced a magnificent performance that exuded confidence. With two sixes and 15 boundaries, Rohit scored 120 runs in 212 balls.

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“The state of the pitch was put into perspective by the Indian captain Rohit Sharma. He played a masterful innings that displayed confidence in his own defence, his wide stroke range on a turning – but not impossible pitch – and his ironclad discipline,” Chappell added.

The Australian bowling attack was frustrated, he said, by Rohit’s broad variety of strokes. He also emphasised that Rohit had taught all the players on both teams how to play on Indian wickets.

“Not only did Rohit reveal a wide range of shots, he also frustrated the Australian bowlers with the way he only played them when the time was right. He showed all players, home and touring, how to play on Indian pitches, and his example was flawlessly followed by the much improved Ravindra Jadeja,” wrote Chappell.

Also Read: IND vs AUS: ‘Rohit Sharma Is Not Celebrated Enough As A Test Opener’ – Dinesh Karthik

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