Selectors looking at the option of Rohit Sharma as Test opener: MSK Prasad

Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma, who had a great run in the World Cup where he slammed five hundreds, was in the squad for the Test series against the West Indies, but was not included in the playing XI. File photo: IANS

New Delhi: M S K Prasad, chief selector of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has acknowledged that K L Rahul's form in the Tests is a cause of concern for the team and the panel might have Rohit Sharma to open the innings in the five-day format as well.

Rahul managed scores of 44, 38, 13 and 6 in two Tests against the West Indies. He wasted opportunities to convert starts in the first Test in Antigua and fell cheaply in the next game in Jamaica. He hasn't managed a 50 plus score since his 149 against England at the Oval last year.

"As selection committee we haven't met after the conclusion of the West Indies tour. We will definitely take this (Rohit as opener) point into consideration when we all meet and discuss about it," Prasad told a leading Indian magazine.

"KL (Rahul) is definitely a great talent. Of course, he is going through a bit tough time in Test cricket. We are definitely concerned about his form. He needs to spend more time on the wicket and regain his touch and form," he added.

Earlier, former captain Sourav Ganguly also backed Rohit for the Test opener's role and said that the star batsman deserved an opportunity in the longest format of the game.

Rohit, who had a great run in the World Cup 2019 where he slammed five hundreds, was in the squad for the Test series aganst the West Indies, but was not included in the playing XI.

India will now face South Africa in three T20Is and as many Tests at home beginning Sunday.

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