Ever since the selectors dropped Virender Sehwag from the ODI squad, the one question that has been on the lips of every cricket lover is: Who after Viru?
Ever since the selectors dropped Virender Sehwag from the ODI squad, the one question that has been on the lips of every cricket lover is: Who after Viru?
Ajinkya Rahane was the first one to be tested, but he failed to grab his chances. He certainly deserved to be persisted with, but skipper MS Dhoni was more keen on giving Rohit Sharma a try.
To Dhoni’s credit, Sharma was kept in the loop about his new role and asked to be mentally prepared.
Rahane’s failures in the last couple of games only firmed Dhoni’s resolve to implement his idea. Sharma’s ability to pick the length of the ball has always been his strong point ever. He was such a special talent that he was roped into the Indian side within a year of making his first-class debut. “We all felt he is someone who can be a really good opener, in the sense he cuts and pulls really well. Also, with two openers, you want one of them to be slightly more aggressive than the other,” Dhoni said after the team’s five-wicket win in Chandigarh on Wednesday.
Knowing well that Sharma’s career has not gone anywhere in the last six years, Dhoni wanted to give the right-hander one last chance. In 82 innings, Sharma has batted in the top five on 63 occasions. He got 26 chances at No 4 and 25 at No 5. Despite doing reasonably well at No 5, where he averages over 45, Sharma has failed to cement his place.
But on Wednesday, Sharma anchored the first half of India’s chase in the fourth ODI, forming half-century stands with Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina, before departing for 83 in the 32nd over. By then, he had laid a solid foundation. “It’s very important to think and go in one direction, not only as coach and captain but also with the selectors because at the end of the day, mutually we decide who is the best available talent and you have to give those guys a bit of a rope,” a visibly happy Dhoni said.
But is Sharma is the man who could replace Sehwag in the longer run? Dhoni’s response was subtle. “He should try and improve his off-spin. That would certainly be good for team,” said Dhoni, clearly hinting that Sharma should be ready to bowl a few overs.
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