Is Rohit Sharma A Good Option To Open In Test? Anil Kumble Answers

India have made a made thumping start to the ICC World Test Championship beating West Indies 2-0 in the Test series. Despite a lot of positives from the series, they have struggled badly with their opening slot. KL Rahul has struggled to step up to the occasion which has brought the case of Rohit Sharma in the limelight. Former India skipper and coach Anil Kumble has now delivered on whether Rohit should replace Rahul in the Test team.

The Karnataka-born opener returned without a single fifty from the tour with the highest score being 44. The Karnataka cricketer got starts in both innings of the first Test but has failed to convert those. Rahul hasn’t managed a 50+ score since his 149 against England at Oval 12 innings back.

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Moreover, before that knock, KL Rahul managed only one half-century in his previous 15 innings. Anil Kumble admitted that Rahul is in a tricky position and has struggled to convert starts into big knocks. The legendary spinner also added that the incumbent opener didn’t look his usual self in the Jamaica Test.

“I mean it is a tricky situation that KL is in. KL has done well, like you said he has got starts but not converted them, got out. He has struggled, he looked like I think in the last innings, he looked like he is struggling to get bat on ball, he was not his usual self,” Kumble told CricketNext.

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Many have opined that Rohit Sharma should open the innings instead of KL Rahul including former India skipper Sourav Ganguly. As per Anil Kumble, this might not be the solution to end the woes. Rohit has been in swashbuckling form since the World Cup and hopes to carry the good form in the Tests.

“You only know when you actually do that but I am not really sure about pushing Rohit at the top unless it is a desperate situation. Yes, are we in a desperate situation where we are looking for an opener in someone who has done well at the domestic level, is it worth considering that or should Rohit, Yes, he is a high-quality player sitting on the bench, should he be pushed at the top,” Kumble concluded.