Rohit Sharma is currently leading India’s Board President’s XI, had the most unexpected start as an opening batsman in red-ball cricket in Vizianagaram on Saturday. He came out to open the innings with Mayank Agarwal but his stay at the crease lasted for just a couple of deliveries.

Vernon Philander managed to get the edge off Rohit’s bat as he returned to the pavilion on a duck. This dismissal could affect the right-hander’s confidence ahead of the first Test, which is scheduled to commence from October 2 in Vizag. After Rohit’s dismal show with the bat in the practice match, fans started trolling the Indian opener.

https://twitter.com/TrollvkH/status/1177839169915146240

Rohit Sharma fall 200 runs short from smashing a Double Century!#Betterthanrahul🤔

— Bhavya Shah (@BhavyaShah2612) September 28, 2019

https://twitter.com/ShariqueAghaz/status/1177852675095855105

Don't know which is more funny – Rohit opening in tests and getting out on duck or Rohit opening in tests

— N (@_PushTheLines) September 28, 2019

The Indian chief selector, MSK Prasad recently that Rohit is even considered to open the innings in the Test cricket after KL Rahul’s dismal performances and got overlooked for the SA series. Sharma was part of the squad during India’s tour of the West Indies but he never featured in the playing XI in both the Tests. 

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Earlier, Sourav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh had also opined that Rohit can be tried at the top of the order. Also, India deputy skipper in Test cricket, Ajinkya Rahane, suggested that Rohit should be given more opportunities in Test cricket.

Rahane had said, “I don’t know yet whether Rohit will open the innings. If he does, I will be happy for him. I said in the West Indies also, it is hard to see a special talent like Rohit sitting out.”

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India will be locking horns with South Africa in a three-match Test series, the first Test will be played in Vizag while the remaining two Tests will be held in Pune and Ranchi.