IND vs AUS 2023: Runs will come if Rohit Sharma stays there – Ravi Shastri

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri believes runs will come if Rohit Sharma stays there in the middle. Rohit scored an unbeaten knock of 56 runs on the opening day’s play after Australia was bundled out for a paltry score of 177 at the VCA, Nagpur on Thursday.

Rohit was able to hit the ground running in the final session of play as he scored almost at run-a-ball. The Indian skipper looked untroubled at the crease and brought his 15th Test fifty.

Ravi Shastri compared Rohit Sharma’s run-scoring ability with former Indian opener Virender Sehwag, who was well-known for his attacking game.

Speaking on ICC Review, Shastri said, “If Rohit stays there, he gets it quickly. He won’t allow any bowler to settle. Runs will come much like Viru at his best.

“When Virender Sehwag was in form, he made the job for the middle order a lot easier by really taking it to the opposition early on. His role will be that.”

Shastri added that the ongoing Test series against Australia is not a test of Rohit Sharma’s captaincy. Rohit is a seasoned customer and Shastri added that his record in Indian conditions is superb.

The 60-year-old stated: “I don’t think it’s a test of his captaincy. He’s past that. He’s a very good captain and he is a smart operator and let’s not forget his record in India as an opening batsman is stunning. Tactically, I have no issues. He’ll do the job. He, he knows what to do, when to do it…I don’t think he has to prove tactically or anything to anyone as a captain.”

The renowned commentator went on to reveal that Rohit prepares well for every game and he does his homework as an analyst.

“He does his homework. He is very good with his homework. He is very big on, I wouldn’t say stats, but with the analyst, he’ll work out a lot of things. Tactically he knows.

“When you’re a good reader of the game, you’re very quick in your thinking when it comes to reading a batter. As to which bowler could be the right guy at that moment of time, what’s happening with the state of the game.”

Rohit is batting unbeaten on 61 in the first innings of the opening Test.