Rohit Sharma revived his Test career last year against South Africa at home amassing 529 runs in the series with a remarkable average of 132.25 and at a healthy strike rate (77.45) in his first assignment as an opener.

He went on to become the first Indian opener to score three tons in a series after Sunil Gavaskar. The 33-year old also became the first Indian cricketer to score a century as an opener in every format.

After earmarking success in the traditional format last year, Rohit has garnered a lot of praise from former cricketers. Many have backed his potential even in challenging conditions and look forward to watching him establish his mastery with the bat.

Rohit missed out on the all-important New Zealand series owing to an injury. However, he will be prepared to face the Aussies in their own den in December if the series takes place.

Rohit has got the ability, skill and temperament to handle the conditions

While Rohit seems to have aced the first hurdle as a Test opener, he knows there's a big challenge lying Down Under later this year. The last time Rohit played a Test match in Australia, he scored an unbeaten 63 at the MCG.

FIFTY!@ImRo45 brings up 10th Test half-century off 97 deliveries.https://t.co/xZXZnUvzvk #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/oPArV7Wha6

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 27, 2018

With the upcoming series being a part of the ICC World Test Championship, it has already generated a lot of interest in various quarters. His former Mumbai Indians teammate Michael Hussey backed Rohit to do well in Australia after succeeding in the red ball game in the recent past.

"It's going to test any batsman in the world, but I think because Rohit's played a lot of One-Day cricket batting at the top of the order, and now he's been having some success with the red ball game as well, that'll give him confidence coming in. I have no doubt in my mind that Rohit has got the ability and the skill and the temperament, to be able to handle the conditions Down Under."

This will be Hitman's first overseas tour as an opener in the Test format. However, Hussey felt that with the experience Rohit has in the limited-overs format, he will be able to adapt in the whites too.

"I think Rohit would adapt. No worries at all of his batting at the top of the order. It will be challenging in Australian conditions against the top quality bowling attack with pace and bounce," said Hussey during his conversation on Sony Sports.

If Rohit Sharma is not a Test match opener, I've been watching a different game

English commentator Nasser Hussain has time and again risen in support of Rohit as a worthy prospect in Test cricket. 

The former England skipper recently threw his weight behind Rohit's elevation to the top-order in Tests. He asserted that the Indian opener had all the technique and timing in the world to do wonders with the bat. 

“If Rohit Sharma is not a Test match opener, I’ve been watching a different game. If you go and ask fellow cricketers who your favourite player is, a lot of them will say, Rohit Sharma. Fellow cricketers watch Rohit Sharma and say this bloke seems to have so much time to bat.”

I watch Rohit and think well you can't not be successful at Test level

Former England captain Michael Atherton has also heaped praise on Rohit. Calling him a naturally gifted player, the cricketer-turned-commentator was confident about the Indian opener succeeding in the Test format.

“I watch Rohit and think well you can’t not be successful at Test level. He just looks such a good player that you’d think that success will come. Indian batsmen look very natural and fluid and fluent and of course, no better example than Rohit Sharma."

If he can successfully be the guardian at the top order, it will be a difficult task for the Australian bowlers in the upcoming tour.