Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar sees the Test matches in South Africa as a big chance for Rohit Sharma to bounce back from the World Cup defeat. Sunil Gavaskar thinks the touring team’s leader is crucial for achieving an unprecedented victory against the South Africans.
The Men in Blue did not win the 2023 World Cup on home grounds, as was expected. The hosts were heavy favorites to defeat Australia in front of a record-breaking crowd in Ahmedabad going into the final, having won ten straight games. But the visitors won by six wickets to claim their sixth championship.
Sunil Gavaskar stated in an interview with Star Sports:
“Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were really at the peak of their powers in the last 6-8 months. Like Jacques Kallis said Rohit Sharma is going to be key for India in the Test series. Rohit Sharma will have a big role to play to set up the No. 3,4,5. Whatever happens, this is Rohit Sharma’s opportunity to make up for the World Cup final loss.”
Sunil Gavaskar
Rohit and Kohli were the top two run-getters in the 2023 World Cup, both with 1200 runs. Virat Kohli set a new World Cup record by scoring 765 runs in 11 matches, including three centuries.
Rain spoils the first T20I between India and South Africa
Meanwhile, the first Twenty20 International in Durban on Sunday was a washout due to rain. India is coming off a T20I series victory against Australia, who whitewashed the Proteas in a three-match series before of the 2023 World Cup.
Selectors rested their first-choice players for the white-ball games since World Test Championship (WTC) points were at stake. The tourists have yet to win a Test series in South Africa, therefore this is the most crucial task.
