Ravi Shastri Recalls Bold Move That Transformed Rohit Sharma Into A Test Match Giant

May 18, 2025: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has reflected on the pivotal decision that transformed Rohit Sharma into one of India’s most formidable Test openers, a move that reshaped the batter’s red-ball career and added a significant chapter to his legacy.

Rohit, long celebrated as a modern-day white-ball maestro, had an uneven journey in the Test arena since his debut in 2013. Initially placed in the middle order, he struggled for consistency, often failing to convert promising starts into impactful innings. But everything changed in 2019 when Shastri, then head coach, made the bold call to promote him to the opening slot.

“Batting at four or five, this guy used to get bored,” Shastri revealed on the latest episode of ICC Review. “Then I started dwelling on the fact—why is he so successful in one-day cricket? He likes to be out there early.”

Shastri recounted how the idea first struck him during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, where Rohit dominated with five centuries and topped the scoring charts with 648 runs. Impressed by his form, temperament, and attacking style, Shastri believed that opening in Tests might offer Rohit the space to replicate his limited-overs success.

“He’s got the shots against the quicks. The field is up, so Test cricket might be a honeymoon for him if he starts embracing it,” Shastri explained.

Rohit’s debut as a Test opener came in October 2019 against South Africa, and he didn’t disappoint—smashing twin centuries in the match. From there, his red-ball career soared, with nine of his 12 Test hundreds coming as an opener.

Shastri praised Rohit’s willingness to adapt and improve, especially highlighting his stellar technique during India’s 2021 tour of England. “He worked a lot on his technique. His best batting was in England, where you really have to play with soft hands and leave well,” he said. “Suddenly from nowhere, he was setting up games for you.”

Rohit Sharma retired from the longest format last week, ending a distinguished Test career with 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, including 12 centuries and 18 fifties in 67 matches.