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'My Second Birth...,' Rohit Sharma Credits Virat Kohli And Ravi Shastri For Saving His Test Career


Rohit Sharma on Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri [Source: @CricketNDTV/X.com]Rohit Sharma on Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri [Source: @CricketNDTV/X.com]

On Tuesday, October 1, India clinched a memorable series win against Bangladesh, beating them by seven wickets in Kanpur to complete a 2-0 whitewash. Despite rain disrupting much of the match, Rohit Sharma’s team maintained their dominance, successfully chasing a target of 95 in the final session of Day 5.

Rohit Sharma’s leadership has taken India to new heights in international cricket. The team's performance under his captaincy, especially in Tests, has been remarkable. The rain-hit second Test saw Day 2 and Day 3 abandoned without a ball being bowled, but India’s perseverance helped them seal the series win.

During a recent interaction with commentator Jatin Sapru, Rohit Sharma made some candid revelations about his Test career and how it got revived, thanks to Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri.

In a revealing conversation, Rohit expressed his gratitude towards former head coach Ravi Shastri and former captain Virat Kohli for pushing him as an opener in Test cricket. He referred to this move as his "second birth" in Test cricket.

"This is my second birth in Test cricket. I have to take this opportunity at any cost. Whether it's opening the batting or No. 11, or any other number in the middle order, I just wanted to get picked," Rohit revealed.

 "I replied to them that I was going to play freely. I am not going to take the pressure of going and battling it out and all of that. I am going to play freely. If the ball is in front of my eyes whether it's the first ball of the Test match, I am going to smack it," Rohit added.

Rohit Sharma Reveals Kohli and Shastri Gave Him Freedom

Rohit Sharma admitted that the decision to open in Tests wasn’t an easy one. He emphasised how the freedom given to him by Kohli and Shastri allowed him to play without pressure.

“Unhone bola jo karna hai tu kar (They said you can do whatever you want to do). They gave me the freedom. Ravi (Shastri) bhai was very keen for me to open in Test cricket for a long time. He told me in 2015 actually to look at this option. You should be opening," Rohit said.

India will be looking forward to the upcoming Test matches in New Zealand and Australia. Rohit, now averaging nearly 44 in Test cricket, will be a key player in these challenging tours.

Following the Test series, India are set to face Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series starting October 6 in Gwalior.