Rohit Sharma has gone ‘a notch higher’ as a batsman in England: Sachin Tendulkar

Batting great Sachin Tendulkar has said that Rohit Sharma has risen a “step higher” as a batsman, given how he played in England.

Rohit scored 83 in the first innings of the second Test against England at Lord’s and has been providing India good starts throughout their extended tour of England which started with the World Test Championship (WTC) final against England in June.

Rohit has also been noted by commentators for the patience he has shown in the Test innings in England, in stark contrast to the pace at which he plays in limited overs cricket. “(From) whatever I have seen, I feel, he has taken the lead and he has shown the other side of his temperament and how he can change his game and adapt to situation and play accordingly,” Tendulkar told PTI.

“He has been a leader there and KL (Rahul) has supported him brilliantly. As far as playing pull shot is concerned (which got him out in the first innings at Lord’s), he has cleared the fence with that shot and I am looking at what he has been able to achieve for the team in both Tests. Rohit has left the ball and defended the ball brilliantly or equally well. He was always a fantastic player but seeing his last few innings in England, I can say he has definitely gone a notch higher,” he said.

Tendulkar also said that the Indian bowling attack is the best in the world but he would refrain from comparing with the attacks that the country produced in the past. “Today this bowling attack is the best in the world. It’s a reflection of talent, discipline and ability to work hard on fitness and wanting to learn more. I don’t like comparisons across eras because bowling attacks should also be judged by batters who are batting against them. Be it during Kapil’s or Srinath’s or Zaheer’s generation, there were different batsmen facing them,” he said.