Rohit Sharma (Twitter/@BCCI)
Rohit Sharma’s poor form in the recently concluded IPL 2013 is a major concern for India ahead of the WTC final.
Veteran India batsman Dilip Vengsarkar feels that Rohit Sharma might find it a bit difficult to switch from T20 mode to Test in the upcoming World Test Championship final. The Indian skipper hasn’t been at his best in recent times and struggled badly in the recently concluded Indian Premier League.
Rohit’s poor form in IPL 2013 was a major concern for India ahead of the WTC final. This was the fourth consecutive season where Rohit failed to cross the 400-run mark in IPL. The Mumbai Indians skipper scored just 332 runs in 16 matches at an average of 20.75.
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Vengsarkar feels that Rohit will have to prepare well to adapt to the Test mode as he has been playing the shortest format for the past few months.
He said, ‘More than form I think he will come straight from T20 to Test match, it can be a bit of an issue. I wish they had some practice matches before the WTC finals. When you go into such a big Test match and remember, there are no second chances, unlike a series, it is important that you prepare well,” Vengsarkar told Hindustan Times.
The Indian captain arrived in England about a week before the WTC final to switch to red-ball cricket and get used to English conditions.
While the 1983 World Cup winner also feels that India should pick KS Bharat ahead of Ishan Kishan in the playing XI for the mega clash.
“KS Bharath is a specialist wicketkeeper, so I think he should play,” he added.
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Vengsarkar further pointed to the difference in England and Indian conditions but suggested that India had an experienced batting unit that could adapt.
‘The conditions in England are very different to what we see here in India or even Australia,’ he said. If the conditions are such, the ball can swing for a longer time. The length in which bowlers bowl is also slightly different. And it’s even more difficult if there’s an additional boom on offer. So, I am hopeful that the Indian batsmen will get used to very soon. They are all experienced players. He has visited England before as well. Same goes for Australia. The team that adapts quickly to the conditions will do well.”
The much-awaited World Test Championship final begins on June 7 at the Oval in London.
