‘When he gets runs at Test level…..’ – Sanjay Manjrekar’s honest take on India captain’s Rohit Sharma ahead of Test series vs SA

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar heaps praise on India’s skipper Rohit Sharma while rubbing his struggles against left-arm pacers. Notably, Rohit Sharma was last in action during the ODI World Cup 2023 final, where Team India suffered a humiliating and embarrassing loss against Australia on November 19 at the iconic Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium. However, the 36-year-old skipper will be next seen in action in a two-test series against South Africa, slated to commence on December 26 in Centurion.

Sanjay Manjrekar says that opening batter Rohit Sharma’s struggles against the left-arm pacers were past things. In addition, the well-renowned cricket commentator cities the examples of the left-arm pacers with the likes of Mitchell Starc and Shaheen Afridi, to whom Rohit Sharma has played brilliantly in recent years.

“The weakness you are talking about, the weakness against left-handers, is a thing of the past. Not anymore. In the last two or three years, he hasn’t had any problems. Mitchell Starc in the home series. He was comfortable against Australia with the new ball. Shaheen Afridi was supposed to be the dangerous man against Rohit Sharma. That was a Rohit, who used to plant his front foot across the line,” Sanjay Manjrekar said to Star Sports.

I think Rohit Sharma has become a good Test player: Sanjay Manjrekar

The cricketer turned analyst feels Rohit Sharma is an incredible Test player, who has made massive improvements in red-ball games. Furthermore, the former batting legend shares his favourite memory of Rohit Sharma’s innings in his career. Moreover, the 58-year-old cricketer picked out Rohit Sharma’s great Test form back in 2021-2022 against England.

“Not anymore. I think he has become a good Test player. When he gets runs at the Test level these days, it’s just occupation of the crease, which is an incredible memory that I have of him from England. When he came to the fore as a Test opener, he got a hundred there and ended up as the highest run-getter in that series.  The number of hours he batted there in that series,” he added further.