Rohit Sharma IND vs AUS Nagpur Test: India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour on Friday praised skipper Rohit Sharma for scoring a brilliant century on a turning pitch against a formidable Australian attack and taking the team to the top. Rohit batted for 345 minutes on a slow, turning pitch against a brilliant attack of bowlers like Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins and scored a brilliant 120 runs. Rohit’s century, an 81-run partnership for the eighth wicket between Ravindra Jadeja and Akshar Patel helped India take the lead. Reached 321/7 at the end of the day’s play and took a 144-run first innings lead against Australia.
Batting coach Rathour said it was Rohit’s level and ability to adapt to conditions and change his batting style, which helped him succeed in Nagpur. The star opener made a very aggressive start on Thursday. Completed his half-century in 66 balls. After this, he faced 105 balls to score a century.
He said, “I think that is the quality he has as a batsman. He really does things well. He is someone who can change his game. You know how he performs in India and how he scored runs in the series against South Africa.
Rathore said in the post-play press conference on Friday that then we traveled to England. It was a completely different pitch on which you had to play. And today, it was not an easy wicket. He had to work hard to score runs. Usually he charges after scoring the initial runs. He really likes to move.
Asked whether India had put Australia under pressure by scoring 95 runs in the final session of the day, Rathour said that for them the match ends only when the last ball is bowled.
Asked if Akshar Patel’s batting abilities were considered before Kuldeep Yadav while picking him, Rathour said, “As a bowler you have to have some great records in India (to get selected), so I don’t.” Guess that’s a thought too. His batting is definitely a bonus. It is great that if he can bat as well, it will be beneficial for India. But as a bowler, I think he has taken 40-plus wickets in six, six or seven matches.
