Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has offered valuable advice to Indian captain Rohit Sharma ahead of the upcoming 2-Test series against South Africa, set to kick off on December 26. Gavaskar emphasized the need for Rohit to swiftly make a mental adjustment, transitioning from his aggressive ODI World Cup approach to the demands of Test cricket in South Africa.
Rohit Sharma, readying himself for his first Test assignment as skipper in the Rainbow Nation, will play his first competitive fixture since the World Cup final. Despite a modest Test record in South Africa, averaging just over 15 with 123 runs in 4 Tests, this tour marks his first since establishing himself as a Test opener in 2019.
Gavaskar acknowledged Rohit’s impressive form in the World Cup, where he played a crucial role as an aggressor at the top of the order. However, he stressed the necessity for a complete shift in approach against the red Kookaburra in the challenging South African conditions.
The legendary cricketer outlined the challenge for Rohit, stating, “For Test cricket, he has to change his approach completely because he has to think in terms of batting the whole day. If he bats the whole day, then clearly, with the range of shots he has got, he will be able to end up with 150-plus, and then India will be 300-plus or 350-plus.”
Highlighting the importance of mental adjustment, Gavaskar mentioned the challenge of transitioning from the aggressive role in ODIs to the patient and strategic approach required in Test cricket.
Rohit Sharma, who has been actively leading India’s training sessions in South Africa, aims to instill confidence in both his batting and captaincy. Gavaskar emphasized that success in Tests would further boost Rohit’s confidence in leading the side.
As India seeks to improve its Test record in South Africa, Rohit Sharma faces the challenge of adapting his game to the demands of the format, a task that Gavaskar believes will be crucial for India’s success in the series.
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