'When Sachin Tendulkar Retired, We Thought He Will Answer Our Questions But...': Dinesh Karthik On Rohit Sharma's Delayed Rise In Test Cricket

Veteran India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik discussed how the star India batsman dealt with disappointment during the first half of his Test career.

It was the year 2013 and the month of November. Sachin Tendulkar was playing his final international bilateral, a two-Test series against the West Indies at home.

In his final match for India, Sachin Tendulkar struck a masterfully constructed 74 before being removed for 10 in the first Test match in Kolkata. India completed the game and defeated the West Indies by an innings score.

Sachin Tendulkar rode out into the distance once the series was finished. However, while it was the end of the road for Tendulkar, it was also the beginning of the Test career of another tremendously brilliant Indian batter.

Rohit Sharma made his Test debut in Kolkata and scored an impressive 177, becoming the 14th Indian batsman to achieve a century in his first Test. He followed it up with another century – 111 not out in Mumbai – which marked the start of what appeared to be a brilliant Test career for Rohit, who was also enjoying his second coming in ODIs at the time.

‘The fact that Sachin Tendulkar is retiring from Test cricket’: Dinesh Karthik

However, unexpectedly, Rohit’s Test career went downhill after that. Rohit played the odd Test but found it difficult to establish himself in India’s starting lineup as Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Pujara became the game’s next renowned middle-order.

Veteran India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik reflected on Rohit’s bright start and how it went awry to explain how the great India hitter had to deal with disappointment in the first half of his Test career.

“From an Indian perspective, I do not believe there have been many who have started as well as Rohit in Test cricket. He got hundreds in his first two matches… and then everyone felt this is it – he is the big deal, and now that Sachin Tendulkar is retiring from Test cricket, he is the one who is going to answer all those issues for us.”

“But, as it turns out, life and sport are never exactly what you think they are, and there were many curve balls thrown at Rohit throughout the season, “Karthik said in the docu-series Summer Stalemate on Cricbuzz.

As of now, Rohit Sharma is leading India in all three formats of cricket. While his heroics in limited overs cricket continue, his rise in test cricket has been an inspiration to many.

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