Rohit Sharma’s promotion to the opening slot lasted for five balls after he managed only 3 runs on the second day of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Rohit Sharma tried a half-hearted pull shot, got a top edge and it went straight down to Scott Boland’s throat at mid-on.
Rohit Sharma has made 152 runs from his last 14 Test innings
Rohit received flak from the experts for his nothing shot.
“That is a really big mistake … it’s a nothing shot,” former England captain Michael Vaughan said on Fox Cricket.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is gone for just three runs! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/m1fLiqKLO7
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2024
“He is just too early in the innings and hasn’t got used to the pace and bounce.
“It’s a sad state for the Indian captain, averaging 11 in his past 14 Test innings.”
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting also slammed Rohit for playing this lazy shot.
“That’s just a lazy, not-switched-on, not-up-for-the-moment type of shot,” Ricky Ponting said on 7 Cricket.
Darren Lehmann was also critical of the tame shot from the Indian captain.
“If he’s going to hit it, hit it Rohit. You’re a class player, you should actually take that on,” Lehmann said on ABC Sport.
“Plenty of room in the outfield, take it on.”
Meanwhile, legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar came in defence of Rohit Sharma.
“That’s the shot he cannot resist playing,” said Gavaskar.
However, after the Brisbane Test Gavaskar has said that Rohit might quit Test cricket of he would continue to fail.
“I think Rohit obviously will get the opportunity to play in the next couple of matches, that’s for sure. But maybe at the end of it, if he hasn’t scored runs, my feeling is that he himself will take the call,” he had said while doing commentary for ABC Sport.
“He’s a very conscientious cricketer, he will not want to be a burden on the team. He’s a cricketer who cares very deeply for Indian cricket. So if he doesn’t score runs in the next couple of games, I think he himself will step down.”
Former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh too rated that Sharma’s Test career might be short lived. “I worry for Rohit Sharma. He’s got three more innings on this tour and if he doesn’t make runs, his career is hanging by a thread.” Waugh said on Fox Cricket.
Tom Morris wrote on Sen Cricket about Australia tours ending the careers of captains.
“Australia has a long history of finishing the careers of established touring captains. There is little doubt star-studded XIs of the past have actually taken pride in ruining the professional lives of touring skippers. Rohit Sharma looks every bit the latest leader to come here, falter, and never play again. It’s a shame, but it’s the brutal reality of where he’s at and how he fits (or doesn’t fit) into this Indian team. He has 25 runs from five knocks since he landed midway through the Perth Test,” wrote Morris.
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