5 current limited overs specialists who've found it tough in Test cricket

Test cricket is an altogether different ball-game when compared to ODI or T20 cricket. Considered as the most demanding format of the sport, Test cricket is the true examination of a player's skill, will and perseverance.

Many former legends have found the perplexities of Test cricket hard to face up to, and that tradition has continued in the modern era as well. Quite a few stars of the limited-overs format have found Test cricket extremely challenging, and have failed to recreate the magic in the longer format of the game.

Here we list down 5 current limited-overs specialists who've found it tough in Test cricket:

#5 Martin Guptill

Martin Guptill

New Zealand have produced some of the finest batsmen ever, and Martin Guptill surely falls in that bracket. The sturdy Kiwi opener has been a prolific run-scorer for the Black Caps, having scored more than 6000 runs in the ODI format. His ability to take the game away from the opposition is well-known, and fans of New Zealand cricket have been devotees of Guptill for long.

But while Guptill's record in the shorter format of the game has been outstanding, his numbers in Test cricket aren't too impressive. In 47 Tests so far, the New Zealander has scored a total 2586 runs at a mediocre average of 29.39.

It won't be outrageous to say that Guptill has had a tough time dealing with the arduous nature of Test cricket.

#4 Fakhar Zaman

Fakhar Zaman

In 2018, Fakhar Zaman scored a historic double century in Pakistan's triumph over Zimbabwe to become the first Pakistani cricketer to go beyond the 200 run-mark in the limited-overs format. The flamboyant batsman is known to score heaps of runs at a relatively fast pace, and is considered one of the brightest prospects in the budding Pakistani team.

His opening stands with Imam-ul-Haq have been key to Pakistan's revival on the international scene. The "Men in Green" look like a lethal unit when Zaman is in form.

Zaman made an impactful Test debut against Australia in 2018 as he scored a total 160 runs across two innings to help Pakistan register a monumental win by a margin of 373 runs. Ardent supporters of Pakistani cricket team were optimistic of their side's chances on their tour of South Africa in the wake of Zaman's impressive Test debut.

However, his inability to cope with South Africa's fast bowlers spelled disappointment for the tourists as they succumbed to a 0-3 series loss. A string of disappointing performances with the bat forced Zaman to sit out of the third Test.

#3 Eoin Morgan

Eoin Morgan

The dynamic Irishman is often considered one of the most lethal batsmen in the limited-overs format of the game. Eoin Morgan has been pivotal to England's rise to the pinnacle of the ODI rankings as well their first-ever World Cup triumph.

Morgan's range of shots and beguiling playing style make him a world-class player in ODI cricket, but the same isn't the case in the longer format of the game. In 16 Tests Morgan has scored a paltry 700 runs; on the other hand, he is the leading run-scorer for England in 50-over cricket, having slammed more than 7000 runs.

If we scrutinize his playing style across formats, we'd realize there is a major difference in the way Morgan approaches them. The swashbuckling left-hander looks utterly comfortable in the limited-overs format but the same can't be said about the longer format of the game; his natural playing style has somewhat hindered his progress on the Test front.

The last time Morgan featured in a Test match was in 2012 when England squared off against Pakistan in UAE.

#2 Jason Roy

Jason Roy

Jason Roy is often called 'The Lion' by his English teammates, which is understandable given his audacious batting style in the limited-overs format of the game. The Surrey man's best quality is his courage - the courage that makes him a fearsome top-order batsman and helps him dominate even the fiercest of bowling attacks in the world.

Roy's magnificent run in the ICC World Cup 2019 led to his call-up to the Test squad. England have long struggled with their opening partnership, and after the retirement of Alastair Cook, the void has seemed even bigger. English fans had hoped the void would diminish upon Roy's arrival, but the story has unfolded in a disappointing manner.

Roy's struggles with the moving red ball at the top are pretty evident as the Englishman has failed to create any sort of magic against Australia in the ongoing Ashes series. That has led to him dropping down the order to number 4, with Joe Denly opening instead of him.

#1 Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma

The 'Hit-man' is one of the greatest ODI openers of all time, and his numbers in the limited overs format of the game are beyond spectacular. In 218 ODIs, Rohit Sharma has amassed a total of 8686 runs which includes a stunning 27 centuries.

Rohit's deeds in T20 cricket are at par with his performances in ODI cricket. The Indian opener has four 100s to his name - the most by any batsman in the shortest format of the game.

Looking at Rohit's record in the limited-overs format and then comparing it with Test cricket, you realize that the disparity is real. The Indian had a decent start to his Test career as he scored 177 on his debut against West Indies at Eden Gardens in 2013. But that remains his finest Test innings till date as he has failed to continue his exploits - leading to his eventual ouster from the side.

In 27 Tests, the Indian stalwart has scored a measly 1585 runs - a disappointing sum for a world-class batsman.