Rohit Sharma sensationally thanks Virat Kohli-Ravi Shastri for giving him his 2nd birth

Rohit Sharma is currently a key player of India's Test team. Not just because he is the captain, but the 37-year-old is also one of the finest openers going around in red-ball cricket. But that was not always the case as there was a time initially when Rohit was struggling to find his way in the longer format of the game.

However, his revival in Tests started from the moment he started opening. Rohit gives the credit of his Test success to Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli. Shastri was India's head coach and Kohli was the captain when Rohit started opening in Tests.

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Rohit Sharma reveals how Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli's words changed his Test career

During a podcast with sports presenter Jatin Sapru, Rohit revealed the role of Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli in his promotion up the order. Rohit mentioned that he did not have any other option but to open since his Test numbers were declining consistently in the middle order.

"I was very grateful to Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli for giving me that opportunity to bat up the order because it was not going to be an easy decision again in Test cricket. They gave me an opportunity there," Rohit said.

"(Did they have a chat with you) Yeah, they asked me (whether he wanted to open or not). They asked me to go and play one practice match which I did and I got out on the first ball in that practice game. But I thought that I don't have any other option now," he added.

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"I am going to play freely" - Rohit Sharma's words to Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli

Rohit Sharma opened up about how he was desperate to make it work on his second birth in Test cricket. He also said that he wanted to play freely this time rather than grinding it out in the usual way Test cricket is played.

"This is my second birth in Test cricket. I have to take this opportunity at any cost. Whether it's opening the batting or No. 11, or any other number in the middle order, I just wanted to get picked," Rohit revealed.

"I replied to them that I was going to play freely. I am not going to take the pressure of going and battling it out and all of that. I am going to play freely. If the ball is in front of my eyes whether it's the first ball of the Test match, I am going to smack it," the Indian captain added.

Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli give Rohit Sharma the freedom

The 37-year-old further mentioned that Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli gave him the full freedom to express himself and that allowed him to give his best.

"Unhone bola jo karna hai tu kar (They said you can do whatever you want to do). They gave me the freedom. Ravi (Shastri) bhai was very keen for me to open in Test cricket for a long time. He told me in 2015 actually to look at this option. You should be opening," Sharma said in the podcast.

Rohit Sharma's numbers drastically improved ever since he started opening in Tests. He was averaging in the mid-thirties before starting to open in Tests but now averages almost 44 in the format.

While his numbers in white-ball cricket were always outstanding, it was his Test records that were a cause of concern. Rohit Sharma's ability to play well on bouncy and turning wickets makes him such a gifted batter.

Over the years, he has transformed himself into an aggressive batter who likes to take on the opposition bowlers. His role will be key for India in the upcoming Test matches in New Zealand and Australia.