Virender Sehwag Urges Team India to Open With Rohit Sharma Instead of Prithvi Shaw in Tests

The former swashbuckling Indian opener, Virender Sehwag opens up on India’s struggles with the opening batsmen. He wants Team India to test Rohit Sharma before going to check the young lad, Prithvi Shaw in the Test circuit. India will face the Three Lions in London.

Indian openers failed miserably in the ongoing five-match Test series against the Three Lions. None of the Indian openers showed their class in the series so far thus denting India’s chances.

The team management tried different partners for the opening slot as well. However, none of them worked for India.

India will have to play Rohit Sharma at the opening slot in Tests – Virender Sehwag

The Nawab of Najafgarh Sehwag maintained that Rohit needs to play Test cricket as an opener. He feels visitors should carry the same openers across the formats without any shufflings.

Sehwag added the team should allow Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma to play all formats of the game as the openers of India. He suggests them to play their natural game instead of concentrating more on the change in technique.

“India have different openers for all three formats. Virat Kohli needs to find out that one perfect pair who can open innings for India in all three formats. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan is a good option but for that, India will have to play Rohit at the opening slot in Tests as well,” Sehwag told IndiaTV during the show ‘Cricket Ki Baat’.

“Some people say you have to change your technique when you play Test cricket after limited-over format. But I believe, you should play your natural game no matter which format you bat in. You just need the right mindset not the technique to play in different formats,” Sehwag added.

Prithvi Shaw can play as the third opener – Virender Sehwag

Speaking of Prithvi Shaw, Sehwag felt Shaw might get the debut cap in the fifth Test in London. However, he reckoned Team India should have tested Rohit once before including Shaw in the team. He added that Shaw should have travelled with the team as the third opener.

“Prithvi Shaw might get a chance in the fifth Test. But I believe, Rohit deserves a chance before the young chap. India can try Rohit first and then call up Prithvi if he fails to deliver. They can keep Prithvi Shaw in the squad as a third opener. In that way, he’ll get to learn a lot in the presence of senior players,” he inferred.

However, it seems like Virender Sehwag has raised the valid point.

Having the same openers across the formats will boost the mindset of a player which helps them to perform better. It would be interesting to see whether the team management considers his suggestion.

In conclusion, Rohit Sharma will lead Team India in the 14th edition of Asia Cup 2018 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).