India’s captain Rohit Sharma faced scathing criticism from former BCCI chairman of selectors MSK Prasad for his lackluster performances in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Rohit’s struggles with both the bat and his captaincy have drawn sharp reactions, with Prasad calling it a phase unlike anything in Indian cricket history.
Rohit’s Poor Form with the Bat
Rohit Sharma’s performances with the bat have been underwhelming throughout the series. His scores of 6, 3, and 10 in the first three innings, coupled with a disappointing 3 runs in the Boxing Day Test, highlight his struggles. Despite moving back to the top order, Rohit has failed to make a significant impact, further compounding India’s batting woes.
Concerns Over Captaincy
Prasad also criticized Rohit’s leadership on the field, citing poor field placements and ineffective bowler rotations. The Indian team’s inability to capitalize on opportunities, such as failing to secure an early wicket with the second new ball on Day 2, has been a recurring issue. Steve Smith’s 11th Test century against India further exposed these shortcomings.
A History of Recent Failures
Prasad didn’t hold back when reflecting on Rohit’s recent record as captain. Highlighting India’s back-to-back losses in a three-match ODI series against New Zealand before this series, Prasad remarked, “It was pathetic. Never in the history of Indian cricket have we seen such a string of losses.” He also pointed out that Rohit had no significant contributions in the New Zealand series and noted that Jasprit Bumrah had captained the team more effectively in Rohit’s absence.
Impact on Team Morale
Prasad emphasized that Rohit’s lack of form has had a detrimental effect on the team. “When the captain struggles with form, it directly impacts the team’s performance,” he said. This was evident in the players’ body language during the Boxing Day Test. Prasad criticized Rohit’s decision-making, such as over-bowling Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah when Australian batter Sam Konstas was dominating the attack.
Looking Ahead
Prasad’s harsh assessment underscores the mounting pressure on Rohit Sharma to turn things around. Both his captaincy and personal form need significant improvement if India is to recover in the series and rebuild its reputation on the international stage.
