IND vs AUS: Virat Kohli’s Absence Could be Chance For Rohit Sharma to Step Up -Glenn McGrath

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had rested Rohit Sharma for ODI and T20I series to regain full fitness and included him in India’s Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Meanwhile, former Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath feels that Rohit Sharma is a quality batsman and the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series is a great opportunity for him to step up in the absence of Virat Kohli.

Team India captain Virat Kohli will play only one Test, the opening day-night fixture in Adelaide, apart from the limited-overs series. Kohli will be flying back to India to be with his wife Anushka Sharma as they are expecting the birth of their first child.

Former Australian cricketer, McGrath said there is no doubt that Kohli’s absence will leave a major impact on the outcome of the Test series.

“Rohit Sharma is a quality batsman who hasn’t achieved at Test level what he should be achieving in my opinion.”

“Maybe when Virat goes home, he might step up. Having said that, you can’t just focus on one player. You have (Ajinkya) Rahane, (Cheteshwar) Pujara, (KL) Rahul, so there’s a quality batting line up. Once Virat leaves, it will be an opportunity for someone else to put their hand up and make a mark on the series. Maybe that could be Rohit Sharma,” Glenn McGrath was quoted as saying by Sportstar.

Recently, Rohit Sharma had won the IPL title for the fifth time. His side defeated Delhi Capitals in the final game by five wickets and lifted the IPL 2020 trophy.

The Indian team has already reached Australia where it is currently serving a 14-day quarantine. However, Cricket Australia has made special arrangements for the players to indulge in outdoor training activities near their base in Sydney.

The tour begins on November 27 when India face Australia in first of three ODIs, which will be followed by as many T20Is.