Rohit actually set a template for batters: Sanjay Manjrekar


image-le2odr85Sanjay Manjrekar | PC: Twitter

The former Indian cricketer and now commentator, Sanjay Manjrekar, lavished high praise on the Indian captain Rohit Sharma for his stellar batting display on the spinning Nagpur track in the opening Test. 

Rohit Sharma, who looked great against both pace and spin played a match-defining knock of 120 runs, which helped the hosts post a mammoth score of 400 after folding Australia for 177 in the first innings. 

Manjrekar opened up on the India captain's century knock, stating Rohit Sharma was instrumental in the first Test and all the batters should take note of his approach in the upcoming matches. 

Here's what Manjrekar wrote:

"One important factor was Rohit Sharma. Rohit actually set a template for batters around the world including some from his own team on how to bat on pitches like this." 

“Generally the first imperative for a batter when the ball is released by the bowler is estimating the length, where it’s likely to pitch with regards to where you are standing."

Manjrekar highlighted Rohit's exceptional judgement of length on the Nagpur pitch and credited his footwork for churning out some amazing shots. 

"If it is going to be a fair distance away then you go on the back foot, which means going deep into your batting crease and giving yourself time to watch the ball and have control over its behaviour."

Team India won the opening Test by an innings and 132 runs to take 1-0 lead in the four-match Test series. The second Test between the table-toppers will be played from 17 February at Delhi.