Australia vs India 2018: Virender Sehwag Backs Rohit Sharma to be in Playing XI for the Test Series

Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag has backed Rohit Sharma to be in the playing XI for the four-match Test series against Australia starting from December 6 (Thursday).

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli & Co will tour Down Under for a series across formats involving three T20Is, four Tests, and three ODIs. India will be desperate to win the Test series in Australia after losing two previous overseas tours. But with the Australian side in a state of turmoil is missing it’s two best batsmen in Steven Smith and David Warner, this seems like a golden opportunity for Team India to go into the history books.

In an exclusive chat with IndiaTV, Virender Sehwag has backed Rohit Sharma to be in the first XI. Time and again, Sehwag has extended his support to the swashbuckling Mumbai batsman.

“Definitely Rohit should be part of the playing XI. A player who has scored 3 double hundreds in ODIs shouldn’t be sitting out of Tests. I have been repeating this for a long time now,” Sehwag said.

When asked what kind of challenges the Australian tour will throw at the Indians, Sehwag noted that they would only have to encounter extra pace. He also stated that it would be necessary to match the first-innings total to increase chances of winning.

“In England, there is swing, in South Africa, there is seam movement, but in Australia, you only have to counter the extra bounce. If you can adjust to that then you can score runs all day. (Virat) Kohli showed this the last time by scoring 4 hundred in 4 Tests. It is also necessary in Australia for the Indian team to match the first innings total which will increase the visitors’ chances,” Virender Sehwag concluded.