‘Put it in cold storage’ – Sunil Gavaskar wants Indian batter to not play pull shots till he gets to 80-90 runs

Sunil Gavaskar believes it is time for Rohit Sharma to pick and choose the right moments to play his signature pull shot. The batting legend thinks Rohit shall reserve the pull shot for the back end of his innings if possible.

Gavaskar’s remarks have come after seeing a notorious trend develop around the experienced opener’s game, where he has been getting out caught to the pull shot in Test cricket.

A great player of pace and bounce, Rohit got out trying to complete a pull shot to the skiddy pace of Lahiru Kumara in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Mohali last week.

Prior to that, his magnificent hundred at The Oval last year was cut short via a miscued pull as well. Before which, came the shot in SCG, where also he tried to clear the fence down leg-side but couldn’t.

Always a big advocate of cutting down risks in order to iron out flaws, Sunil Gavaskar said this newfound problem should be resolved by Rohit with greater concentration and getting the percentages of pull shots right.

WATCH: Rohit Sharma Pulls For 4,4 And Then Gets Out Playing The Pull Again

Sunil Gavaskar wants Rohit Sharma to change his strategy around the pull shot.

Sunil Gavaskar urges Rohit Sharma to play the pull shot wisely

Speaking to host broadcaster Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar opined Rohit should put the pull to the cold storage and reserve it to the back-end of his innings when he is well set at the crease.

“He has got to think about it,” Gavaskar said. “You can argue that it is a productive shot but that is not the only shot. He has got so many others. Now every bowler who has a little bit of pace will fancy his chances against him saying, ‘I don’t mind going for a couple of sixes or boundaries but there will be an opportunity because he hits the ball in the air’.”

“So he has got to work the percentages out. If he still thinks that that the percentages are working in his favour, then go on playing but at the moment, they aren’t working in his favour. So maybe he should put it in cold storage till he gets to 80,90, 100,” he added.

Rohit, who got out for 29 off 28 balls after a rollicking start in Mohali, will be hoping to make amends in Bangalore with the second Test of the series.

Having led his troops to a comprehensive innings victory, the captain will also be eyeing a 2-0 whitewash over the visitors in the D/N pink-ball affair, starting Saturday (March 12).