The Indian Captain’s Difficulties Before the WTC Final, According to Vengsarkar: “More Than Form I Think the Fact That Rohit Sharma Will”
In the forthcoming World Test Championship Final, Rohit Sharma may find it a little challenging to transition from T20 mode to Test, according to legendary Indian batsman Dilip Vengsarkar. The Indian skipper has not been performing at his best lately and had a miserable Indian Premier League season.
Prior to the WTC Final, India is quite concerned about Rohit’s dismal performance in the 2013 IPL. Rohit failed to reach the 400-run threshold in the IPL for the fourth straight year. Just 332 runs, or an average of 20.75, were scored by the captain of the Mumbai Indians in 16 games.
Vengsarkar believes that since Rohit has been playing the shortest format for the last several months, he has to prepare properly in order to mold himself in the Test mode.
More so than his performance, I believe that his immediate transition from T20s to the Test match may be a challenge. Before the WTC final, I wish there had been some warm-up games. It is crucial to be well-prepared going into a Test match this vital because, unlike a series, there are no do-overs, Vengsarkar said.
About a week before the WTC Final, the Indian captain landed in England to adjust to red-ball cricket and acclimate to the English playing conditions.
The 1983 World Cup champion believes that India should start KS Bharat in place of Ishan Kishan for the important match.
“KS Bharat is the specialist wicketkeeper, so I think he should play,” he said.
Vengsarkar continued by highlighting the differences between the environmental circumstances in India and England, but he said that India has a seasoned batting squad that can adjust to them.
“Conditions in England are quite unlike from those in India or even Australia, where we are from. If the circumstances are favorable, the ball may swing for a longer period of time. The bowlers’ lengths vary a little bit as well. And it becomes very harder if there is an additional bounce available. So, I’m hoping the Indian hitters adjust to the environment quickly. They are all seasoned athletes. They previously performed in England. The same holds true for Australia. The team that adjusts and becomes acclimated to the situation more quickly will succeed, he said.
At the Oval in London, the much awaited World Test Championship Final will begin on June 7.
