Rohit Sharma, who was dropped for the Test series against England, has now tossed his hat in the selectors’ ring. Rohit said that he hadn’t been given a chance as an opener in the Test format yet, and when the opportunity comes, I will take it. The call to be in the Test team is a timely one!

The Indian team is currently struggling in English conditions, and the batsmen were often seen surprised in the way they have lost their wickets. The top order has failed. The middle order, except Virat Kohli, has failed too. If the specialist batsmen have floundered, one can imagine the scenario of the all-rounders and lower order contributions.

Rohit Sharma, who has been a regular opener in the ODI side for a long time now, has thrown his weight behind the option of he opening the innings in the Test format too. Talking about the opening slot in the Test team, Rohit said, “Look, I have never been offered (to open the innings in Tests) yet, but I am open to anything as in whatever the team management wants.”

Speaking on his role in the Indian team in the ODI side, Rohit said, “I never thought I would be an opener in ODIs when I started playing or when I was playing for India. But it happened along the way, so I (want to) keep my options open. No option is shut for me, so if the opportunity comes, I will take it.”

Commenting on the possibility of being selected in the Test team, Rohit said, “I want to be part of the (Test) team, but it is not in my hands. I have to wait for the opportunity, whenever it comes, I have to be ready for it. To be ready, I am doing everything, training, doing as much as possible to give myself the best chance when the opportunity comes there.”

However, Rohit Sharma’s age and his previous track record in the Test format speak a different tune altogether. The 31-year-old cricketer has only scored 1479 runs with an average of 39.97 in Test cricket, in 25 matches that he has played. In the 43 innings that he has played in, he has scored 3 centuries and 9 half-centuries, with his highest score being 177.

Looking at his age and his technique in the longer format of the game, it will be only fitting for the Indian team to look beyond Rohit Sharma. Perhaps, giving a chance to a younger player may reap rich dividends for the Indian team.

The selection for the remaining fourth and fifth Test match will be made after the culmination of the third Test match. Will, the selectors, pay heed to Rohit’s clamour is for them to decide. For now, the action between India and England will begin from August 18, i.e. Saturday, at Trent Bridge, in Nottingham. Stay tuned with us for all the latest updates about India vs England Test Series 2018!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 16, 2018 11:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).