NEW DELHI: Former batting legend Sunil Gavaskar stated that Rohit Sharma will have an opportunity to make up for the ODI World Cup 2023 final defeat during India's current tour to South Africa.
Speaking on Star Sports, Gavaskar stated that senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit, have been playing at their peak for the past six to eight months.
Referring to the two-match Test series against South Africa, Gavaskar stated that the Indian captain will be crucial in the long-format.
"Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have really been at the peak of their powers in the last 6-8 months. Rohit is going to be key for India in the Test series. Rohit will have a big role to play to set up the batters coming after him at three, four and five. Whatever happens, this is Rohit Sharma's opportunity to make up for the World Cup final loss," Gavaskar said.
1/10:India vs South Africa: Three formats, three captains
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2/10:India vs South Africa
<p>India named three skippers for South Africa tour next month, with Rohit Sharma leading the two Tests, Suryakumar Yadav for the T20Is and KL Rahul for the ODIs. </p>Getty Images
3/10:Multi-format tour
<p>The tour, which opens on December 10 with a T20 in Durban and is set to run until January 7, includes three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests, the BCCI said.</p>Getty Images
4/10:Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
<p>The BCCI said Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had asked for a break from the white-ball leg of the tour.</p>Getty Images
5/10:Mohammed Shami
<p>Mohammed Shami is undergoing medical treatment and his availability is subject to fitness.</p>Getty Images
6/10:Pujara and Rahane
<p>India dropped Ajinkya Rahane while Cheteshwar Pujara could not force his way back in, with both seemingly at the end of their international careers. </p>Getty Images
7/10:Jaiswal and Gaikwad
<p>Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Mukesh Kumar are the only players to be picked across formats.</p>Getty Images
8/10:Jasprit Bumrah
<p>Jasprit Bumrah made a comeback having last played a Test more than 17 months back, but he has been rested for white-ball cricket on this tour.</p>Getty Images
9/10:Ravindra Jadeja
<p>Axar Patel has been dropped from the T20I squad and Ravindra Jadeja has been appointed the vice-captain.</p>Getty Images
10/10:Rinku Singh
<p>Left-handed batter Rinku Singh's impressive T20I performances have earned him a maiden ODI call-up. </p>Getty ImagesThe all-format tour of South Africa started on December 10 with a three-match T20I series which will go on till December 14. From December 17, the ODI leg of the series will start which will conclude on December 21. The first Test match will be played on December 26 at Centurion and the second game will take place on January 3 at Cape Town.
For live updates on ongoing cricket action, check out our India vs South Africa T20 live blog.
(With ANI inputs)
