Rohit Sharma has three double hundreds in ODIs, while the rest of the world combined has 5. Rohit has arguably been the most destructive batsman in ODIs over the last 7-8 years. Perhaps the best puller and hooker India has every produced, and it is hard to imagine a batsman who can be more pleasing on the eye while carving out the opposition. His easy, languid grace has made him eminently watchable.
However there has been a big blot on his resume. For all his achievements in the limited overs formats, Rohit the batsman has failed to deliver in overseas Test matches. A nation known for its batsmen has struggled to find a quality opener in Test match cricket since Virender Sehwag, and so we have circled back to Rohit again and again. And hoped and prayed. But he couldn't quite deliver. Until now.
Rohit's technique and strokeplay were never in question. It was his temperament that always got in the way. Success in Test cricket in the SENA countries requires patience, intelligent shot selection, and the ability to leave lots of balls outside off stump. It requires biding your time, playing through the tough periods, and then cashing in when the bowlers tire and conditions improve.
Something started to change on the tour of Australia. Rohit started leaving balls, and biding his time. But he appeared restless, and time and again impatience got the better of him. Something was going to give - I thought he was either going to get a big one soon, or give up on this new method and go back to his old style.
As Rohit has contined in this mode, something strange has happened on this England tour. Rohit has started enjoying playing this gritty waiting game! I watched most of his innings in the Lord's Test yesterday. His anticipation of swing, defensive technique, and judgement of off-stump was unbelievable. He appeared calm and unruffled. I never thought I would say this, but I have watched Gavaskar in his prime, and watching Rohit leave the ball and defend the good balls reminded me of the great man.
Rohit eventually got out to a very good delivery from Anderson, but I think he has set a template for how he will play in difficult conditions overseas. He has demonstrated a technical solidity that has frankly surprised everyone. And he is finally starting to bring his gifts to bear to give India good starts - perhaps the biggest missing piece in this very good Indian side in the last few years.
Rohit's coming of age on its own would have been a huge deal, but the batting of KL Rahul in the last two Test matches has made it too good to be true for India.
KL Rahul is another superbly gifted player who just couldn't make the adjustment to Test cricket. But in the company of Rohit Sharma he has found a way in the last two Test matches. Again, he has embraced good shot selection, and leaves a lot outside off stump. At one point yesterday he had scored 16 off 80 balls - a strike rate that even Pujara might snigger at! But eventually he made his move and ended the day with perhaps a match defining score of 127*, and even more important two 100+ partnerships.
Frankly I was never convinced about Rohit and Rahul as Test batsmen, but I couldn't be happier eating humble pie. I have also been quite critical of Shastri as coach, but I am sure he has had a role to play in moulding Rohit and Rahul into their current avatars. So huge kudos to Shastri as well!
