Wanted to be an opener like Rohit Sharma: Sunil Gavaskar

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar is in absolute awe of Rohit Sharma’s power-hitting prowess. Rohit started his career in the middle-order, but once he was promoted up to open, he kept scaling greater heights. As an opener in ODI cricket, the right-hander averages a stunning 58.11, scoring 7,148 runs with a top score of 264 against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Moreover, 27 of his 29 ODIs tons have come as an opener. Last year, he was promoted to open even in Test cricket and he didn’t flatter to deceive. In five games as an opener, Rohit has 556 runs at an average of 92.66 with a highest score of 212 against South Africa in Ranchi.

Gavaskar, who was the first to notch 10,000 Test runs, said that he wished to be a batsman like the 33-year-old Sharma. Gavaskar put forth his opinions during an interview on India Today’s E-Inspiration series.

Gavaskar lauds Rohit Sharma

“The way you see a Rohit Sharma opening the batting in one-day cricket, Test cricket smashing from the first over. That is what I wanted to play. Circumstances and, of course, lack of confidence in my ability did not allow me to do that.

“But when I see the next generation doing it, I am absolutely over the moon, I love watching the next generation because there you see progress. You see how they are setting the bar higher for the next generation,” Gavaskar said.

Rohit, recently, became the fourth Indian cricketer to receive the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honour. The Nagpur-born will next be playing for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), starting September 19 in the UAE.

Apart from Rohit, Gavaskar also opined on the quality of the current Test team. As per the veteran, Virat Kohli and Co stand out among every other Indian Test side. Gavaskar said that India have a lethal bowling attack, which is capable to wreaking havoc in any conditions.

“I believe this team is the best ever Indian Test team in terms of balance, in terms of ability, in terms of skills, in terms of temperament. Can’t think of a better Indian Test team. This team has the attack to win on any surface. It doesn’t need any help [from] conditions. They can win on any surface,” he added.