We Want to Give Rohit Sharma a Chance at the Top: M.S.K. Prasad

New Delhi: Chairman of selectors M.S.K. Prasad on Thursday backed Rohit Sharma to come good at the top of the order in Test matches for India, saying the Mumbai batsman was keen on opening the batting ahead of the three-Test home series against South Africa starting October 2.

Lokesh Rahul was on Thursday dropped from the 15-member squad for the South Africa series owing to his poor run of form in the West Indies, opening the door for Rohit to open the batting. Rookie Punjab batsman Shubman Gill was handed a maiden Test call-up and the youngster can also bat in the middle order.

"Yes, we are definitely looking at him (Rohit) and want to give him an opportunity up the order. He is keen (on opening) and the selection committee, as well as everyone (team management), are keen on the idea. We want to see where he stands and then take a call," Prasad said after the selection committee meeting.

"With regard to Shubman Gill, we look at him as an opener as well as a middle-order batsman. We are looking at him as back-up for both the slots. As he keeps playing more and more, he will get his opportunity because he is a player for all three formats," he said.

Rohit Sharma will lead the Board President's XI in a three-day warm-up match against the Proteas in Vizianagaram from September 26.

"He is opening in white-ball cricket for nearly a decade now and I am sure he has the ability to bat up the order. We have seen that in white-ball cricket and if he can replicate that in red-ball cricket, nothing like it," Prasad said.

For Rahul, who has scored only one Test hundred in over 18 months, Prasad said that the Karnataka batsman got a fair run but a dip in form forced the panel to go for a change.

"We definitely communicated to KL (Rahul). He is an exceptional talent but unfortunately his form has dipped in red ball cricket," Prasad said. IANS

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