5 reasons why Rohit Sharma doesn't deserve a place in India's Test side

After winning the recently concluded Asia Cup, there has been a buzz around the cricketing fraternity about Rohit Sharma's exclusion from India's Test side. Hitman fans have been agitated on why he has not been chosen, despite his tremendous performances with the bat. In the ODI format, he is number 2 in the ICC rankings, just behind Virat Kohli. Experts like Harbhajan Singh and Sourav Ganguly have been surprised by his exclusion from the Test side. Yet, it doesn't seem like India's limited overs vice-captain will play red ball cricket anytime soon.

Now, while some of his fans might feel agitated by this, there are plenty of reasons behind his exclusion. Let's have a look at 5 major reasons why he has been omitted from India's Test side and why he doesn't deserve a place in India's red ball team.

1. Flat track bully - Inability to play the moving ball

The fact that Rohit Sharma and the seaming ball are not good friends is no surprise. He seems just as clueless against the moving ball, as he feels comfortable against the straight ball.

Most of Rohit Sharma's runs, be it his double hundreds in ODIs or centuries in Test cricket, have come against weak bowling attacks on flat wickets, with hardly any pressure to score runs. Yes, he has scored runs abroad in white ball cricket and also in some important matches.

Yet his conversion rate has been disastrous. His technical deficiency playing against the moving ball has been found out on tours of Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and England. Yet, he has not worked on it and succeeded to overcome it.

With India focusing on winning Test matches abroad, it seems too huge a risk to select Rohit unless he proves himself by consistently scoring runs against the moving ball and quality bowling attacks in high-pressure situations.

2. White ball specialist

England v India - 3rd ODI: Royal London One-Day Series

White ball cricket and Red ball cricket are as different as chalk and cheese. The temperament of the batsman and the skill sets required from him in red ball cricket are poles apart from white ball cricket.

The primary reason being that the white ball does not move as much, for as long as the red ball. Bowlers in white ball cricket are primarily bowling to restrict runs, whereas the main aim of the bowlers in red ball cricket is to take wickets. There are few fielders in catching positions in white ball cricket whereas the slips are waiting for edges all day in red ball cricket.

Batsmen need to be patient, see off a good spell, leave the balls outside off stump and make the bowlers bowl to them to earn their runs in red ball cricket as opposed to flashing at everything and keeping on attacking in white ball cricket.

It is for this reason that many white ball specialists like Yuvraj Singh, Shahid Afridi, Michael Bevan or Suresh Raina have struggled in Tests. After seeing his performance overseas, Rohit Sharma, too, seems to be a part of the list.

3. India's focus on winning away Test matches

This Virat Kohli led team is clear that it wants to win Test matches away and be the world's best touring side. For this, even the selections for home matches are done in a way that the players get exposure to playing abroad.

It is for this reason, that India is focusing on giving chances to the likes of Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw and Hanuma Vihari, in an attempt to groom them before the Test series against Australia.

Since Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have been given plenty of chances to prove their ability abroad and failed, the selectors have moved on from them and are focusing on giving newer players a chance.

4. Lack of bowling options

For the number 6 spot, India is primarily looking for a batsman who can bowl. The selection of Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja or Hanuma Vihari proves that. It is for this reason that even triple centurion Karun Nair has been omitted from the Indian Test team. Since the top 5 batsmen of India's team do not bowl, it is extremely important to have a backup bowler playing at number 6 just in case one of the other bowlers is having an off-day.

The fact that Rohit does not bowl further reduces his chances of getting selected in the team.

5. Failure to prove himself despite plenty of chances

Despite being around for a decade, Rohit Sharma's technical deficiencies have still not been addressed. He has been given plenty of chances to play for India in Tests, even at the cost of specialists like Ajinkya Rahane.

Yet, his performance has been dismal and he has failed to overcome his technical setbacks in order to grow his stature as a Test player. Here is his record while playing overseas:

Rohit's record in Austalia, South Africa, England and New Zealand:

Matches - 10

Runs - 452

Average - 23.78

Highest Score - 72

100s - 0

50s - 2

Thus, Rohit Sharma's exclusion from the Indian Test side is justified.