England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar applauded Rohit Sharma as the ‘Don Bradman of turning wickets’ before the India-England five-match Test series. Panesar played key roles for England the last time they tasted a series victory in India in 2012-13, with 17 wickets in five innings as well. Meanwhile, Rohit was the star of the last home Test series against England in 2021 where he did well against the turning ball.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Panesar feels England should find a way to dismiss Rohit Sharma cheaply to garner any hopes of winning the series as well. However, he scored 345 runs in the four Tests of the 2021 home series against England which came at an average of 57.50 with a century and a half-century. And, Rohit boasts a great Test record at home, averaging almost 67 with 8 tons and 6 half-centuries in 24 games as well.
READ MORE: Virat Kohli shares the importance of maintaining diet
“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. 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,” said Panesar.
However, Monty Panesar also applauded star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for his ability to evolve in his bowling throughout his career. The veteran is 10 wickets away from the magical 500-Test wicket mark and he will also become only the ninth bowler to achieve the feat a swell. Notably, Ashwin was the highest wicket-taker in the last India-England Test series at home with 32 scalps in four games.
READ MORE: “I want to play cricket for as long as I can” – Nathan Lyon
“He has had the mindset to keep adapting and bowling different deliveries. He has kept getting better. It’s not easy all the time to take a lot of wickets on turning pitches. He’s been given turners at home, but you can see the way he adapts all the time. He’s like an app, he keeps updating every six months! That’s what he has done through his career I always find that I am a student when it comes to Ashwin’s bowling. I feel I am continually learning something new about his bowling. That’s the asset Ashwin is. He is a brilliant bowler,” Monty Panesar concluded.
