Rohit Sharma is a big match-winner, says Shoaib Akhtar; wants him to play the Antigua Test

Team India is facing some happy selection headaches ahead of their first Test against the Windies. They are spoilt for choices in the bowling department with a selection to be made between Ravi Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav. There is also a dilemma over whether to play Rohit Sharma over Hanuma Vihari and it would be hard on anyone who misses out.

Both of them have done well before in the longer format batting at six and also notched up half-centuries in the warm-up encounter. However, the former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar wants Rohit to play the series opener in Antigua and believes the Indian limited-overs vice-captain could be the match-winner in the whites as well. Akhtar realises that Rohit has been given chances before but wants him to play based on current form.

“I know Rohit has been given chances to play in the Test format earlier and he has not been able to grab on to the opportunity. But I believe he should be included in the team. He is a big match-winner, and not including him will be wrong. He is in good form and he should be given a chance right away,” Akhtar said while speaking on his Youtube channel.

He will showcase his talent

Shoaib Akhtar feels Rohit Sharma if picked in the Test squad, cannot be benched and will only improve in the matches to come in the format. As far as the series is concerned, the 44-year-old was confident of the Virat Kohli-led side doing well as they are the number 1 side in the world.

“When you have selected him in the squad, leaving him out of the playing XI should not be an option. I believe he will showcase his talent in the longest format of the game, he will become a great player in the Test format as well. The team has recovered well after the World Cup set-back, and I believe they will perform well against West Indies in the Test series,” Akhtar further added.

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