Was Rohit Sharma a good Test opener? Stats & Analysis

Was Rohit Sharma a good Test opener? Stats & Analysis. (Photo source: X)

The legendary Rohit Sharma called time on his Test career on Wednesday, May 7. He had already bid farewell to T20I cricket last year after leading India to the T20 World Cup title in Barbados. Now, the 38-year-old will continue captaining India in the ODI format only.

Rohit is an exemplary opener in the white-ball formats. In ODI cricket, he is regarded as one of the finest opening batters of all time. He averages over 55 as an ODI opener. In T20Is, he averages 32 and boasts a strike rate of 143.

However, do Rohit’s Test numbers as an opener match up?

The Nagpur-born started his Test career batting in the middle order. He made his debut in the red-ball format in 2013. However, he began opening for India in the longest format in 2019. He slammed twin centuries – 176 and 127 – against South Africa in Visakhapatnam in his first match as opener. Rohit became the first batter to score twin centuries in the first Test as an opener. Against the Proteas, he slammed his maiden Test double century in Ranchi.

Rohit played 38 Test matches as an opener and scored 2,697 runs. He finished with an average of 42.80, smashing nine centuries and eight fifties. On home soil, he played 25 Tests, scoring 1,766 runs at an average of 44.15. However, Asian openers are always rated on how they have fared in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) conditions.

Rohit didn’t get the opportunity to open in New Zealand. In Australia, he played three Tests and only managed 141 runs at an average of 23.50. In South Africa, his average dropped to a meagre 20 after scoring 60 runs in two Tests. However, his record in England is quite impressive. In six matches as an opener in England, the Nagpur-born scored 490 runs at an average of 44.54. Against the West Indies, in the Caribbean, Rohit has an even better record, having scored 240 runs from two matches at an average of 80.

Conclusion

Rohit had his problems against the moving ball, especially when facing left-arm seamers. However, once he was set at the crease, it was difficult to dislodge him. Rohit might not go down as one of the best Indian Test openers of all time, but he will certainly be remembered for some of his remarkable contributions in adverse conditions.

Disclaimer: This latest news is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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