England tour will be Rohit Sharma's biggest challenge as test opener: Sanjay Manjrekar

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar praised Rohit Sharma for his performance in the purest format of the game for the last 2 years. The cricketer turned commentator observed that Rohit Sharma had improved his technical match ever since he started opening in Test cricket. However, the star batsman will need to shed some of his attacking instincts to thrive in English conditions. Manjrekar opines that the forthcoming WTC final against NZ will be Rohit Sharma’s toughest challenge as a Test batsman. 

Rohit Sharma has amassed 1030 runs in just 11 innings as a Test opener. He is so far the fastest among all Indian opening batsmen to achieve the feat. Rohit Sharma gave brilliant starts for India at the top of the order. He also emerged as the leading run-scorer for the hosts in the Test series against England. Sharma scored 345 runs in the four-match Test series at an average of 57.50.

Rohit Sharma will have to change his instinct and character as a batsman if he wants to succeed: Manjrekar

Rohit Sharma is anticipated to bat at the top of the order for India when they take on the Black Caps at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on June 18. Sanjay Manjrekar suggested that he is happy with the growth of the Mumbai Indians skipper as a Test cricketer. However, he believes that Rohit will have his task cut out against New Zealand in English conditions. India had played two Tests against New Zealand in 2020 and the Kiwis have managed to win both by comfortable margins. 

Rohit also became the fastest Asian to score 1000 runs in the maiden edition of the World Test Championship. Ajinkya Rahane, who has scored 1068 runs, is the other Indian cricketer to score more than 1000 runs in the World Test Championship. With 1030* runs, Rohit is now on the sixth spot of most run-scorers. The list is topped by Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne, who has scored 1675 runs. Marnus was not even the first-choice selection. He got a chance when he replaced Steve Smith during the Lord's Test as a concussion substitute. The 26-year-old has scored consistently since then. He has scored five centuries which is the most by any batsman. Needless to say, Rohit's luck with the bat will play a vital role when India and New Zealand lock horns in England in the summit clash of the World Test Championship.

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