David Gower reveals why Rohit Sharma hasn't found much success in Test format

Rohit Sharma is currently regarded as one of the best limited-overs batsmen in the world. There has been no looking back for Rohit Sharma ever since he donned the opener’s hat of Team India. The right-hander has donned the Indian jersey in 224 ODIs, 108 T20Is, and 32 Tests so far, where he has gathered 14029 runs across all three formats. He also has three double tons under his name in One-day Internationals.

While Rohit has already etched his name as a white-ball great, he still hasn’t hit the stride in the traditional format of the game. Rohit certainly showed glimpses of his potential in Tests by amassing 529 runs against South Africa, including his maiden double hundred. However, for a player like Rohit, he’s expected to have more Test caps and records under his belt.

According to David Gower, it is not a surprise that Rohit has not thrived in Tests as much as in limited-overs cricket. Gower pointed out that there exist several talented players, who are superior in white-ball cricket but mediocre in Tests.

“I’m not startled, far from it. There are loads of players with immense talent and it’s a very fine line sometimes. I can name you a dozen players pretty quickly probably who are very good at white-ball cricket, hopeless at red-ball cricket,” said Gower as quoted by Hindustan Times.

David Gower cited the example of Jason Roy

Gower also gave the example of Jason Roy who has done exceedingly well for England in white-ball cricket. On the back of his expeditions in the limited-overs format, Roy was expected to do well with the red ball too. However, to his disdain, Roy was able to amass only 187 runs across ten innings in the Ashes.

“It doesn’t mean they’re not talented, it doesn’t mean they’re not gifted in a certain way. For instance, we have one in England – Jason Roy, who is a very, very talented player.

A vital part of England’s World Cup win last year, opens the innings in white-ball cricket and gets hundreds. I had a hope that he might be able to learn how to control himself better at Test match level and make runs. All that hope looks a bit distant now because of what happened in the Ashes,” highlighted Gower.

Gower also mentioned that it’s the traditional format which puts a player to the real test. According to Gower, a player can get away with a lot in limited-overs cricket but not in the longest version.

“That’s why I think I, and most players current and past, would say that the ultimate test is Test match cricket because it exposes people to different problems. You can get away with a lot in white-ball cricket,” he said.