India captain Rohit Sharma never fails to entertain, whether with the bat or through his candid moments captured on the stump mic. On the opening day of the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Rohit’s on-field commentary once again took center stage.
Rohit Scolds Jaiswal for a Fielding Error
During the match, an amusing moment unfolded when Rohit Sharma spotted Yashasvi Jaiswal standing upright instead of crouching in the close-in field. After Steve Smith defended a delivery from Ravindra Jadeja, the ball rolled near Jaiswal, who wasn’t in the proper fielding posture. Rohit wasted no time correcting the young player with a lighthearted reprimand, saying,
“Arre Jaisu… gully cricket khel raha hai kya? Neeche baithe reh. Jab tak ball khelega nahi, neeche baithe reh. Uthne ka nahi.”
(“Hey, Jaiswal… are you playing gully cricket? Stay down. Until he plays the ball, stay down. Don’t get up.”)
This humorous yet instructive moment highlighted Rohit’s animated leadership style and added to the day’s entertainment.
A Rollercoaster Day for India at the MCG
The day began with mixed fortunes for the Indian team. At the toss, Rohit announced a surprising change to the playing XI, with Shubman Gill being dropped. India fielded two spinners, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, in a bid to tackle the Australian lineup.
Australia started strong, with Sam Konstas and four other batters scoring half-centuries. At one stage, the hosts looked poised for a big total, reaching 237/2. However, Jasprit Bumrah spearheaded India’s fightback, reducing Australia to 246/5 in quick succession. Despite the comeback, the day ended with Australia in a decent position at 311/6.
Captaincy Decisions Under the Microscope
While Rohit’s energy and leadership were evident throughout the day, he also faced criticism for burning two unsuccessful reviews. Both challenges, against Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith, failed to overturn the on-field decisions, leaving India with limited options for the remaining Australian wickets.
Looking Ahead
With four Australian wickets still in hand, India will hope to wrap up the innings early on Day 2. Rohit Sharma’s leadership and the team’s ability to capitalize on opportunities will be crucial in turning the match in their favor.
As always, Rohit’s dynamic presence ensured there was no shortage of drama and entertainment on the field, setting the tone for an intriguing Boxing Day Test.
