Former England spinner Monty Panesar has praised Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, likening him to the legendary Don Bradman, particularly on turning pitches. Panesar, instrumental in England's 2-1 series victory in India in 2012, highlighted Rohit's exceptional batting prowess.
England and India are set to cross swords in a pulsating five-match Test series, set to commence on January 25 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. This series marks a significant encounter between two prominent cricket teams, with subsequent matches scheduled in Visakhapatnam (February 2–6), Rajkot (February 15–19), Ranchi (February 23–27), and concluding in Dharamsala (March 7–11).
"Indian batters are attacking against the turning ball. They are a bit more fearless. The key man for India is going to be Rohit Sharma. He’s the Don Bradman of turning pitches. His record is unbelievable. England have to get Rohit out early right through to have a chance of winning the Test series," Panesar told Hindustan Times.
"If England can keep Rohit quiet, India will be going to Plan B. You then put the younger batters under pressure. That is going to be key," the ex-England spinner added.
Rohit has been a standout performer in India’s Test squad in recent years. His notable achievements include scoring a century against Australia in Nagpur during the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and another against England in Chennai in the 2021 series. His batting skill and technique have been crucial in these high-stakes matches.
Panesar regards Rohit as a vital asset for the Indian team, attributing his impressive Test record to his remarkable performance. Since being promoted to the opener in October 2019 against South Africa, Rohit's Test career has seen a significant transformation. To date, he has amassed a total of 3737 runs from 54 Test matches. His average stands at 45.57, a testament to his consistent performance. Rohit’s batting achievements include 10 centuries and 16 half-centuries, underscoring his contribution as a key player in India's batting lineup.
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