India’s captain Rohit Sharma continued his struggle with the bat in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, drawing sharp criticism from pundits and fans after another disappointing dismissal at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Rohit Fails to Deliver as India Chases Australia’s Massive Total
India, facing the daunting task of chasing Australia’s first-innings total of 474, had a poor start as Rohit was dismissed for just 3 runs. The Indian skipper, in an unexpected move, promoted himself back to the top of the order despite being out of form. However, his return to the opening position did not pay off, as he fell cheaply to Australian captain Pat Cummins.
Rohit’s dismissal came off a careless shot — a half-pull, half-flick that resulted in an easy catch at midwicket by Scott Boland. With mounting pressure on his captaincy and batting, the latest failure has only intensified criticism of Rohit’s performance in recent matches.
Australia Capitalizes on India’s Poor Start
India’s troubles were compounded by Australia’s tailenders, who added over 160 runs to their overnight score before being bowled out. The Indian team, already reeling from a challenging morning, found themselves in further trouble at 8-1 after Rohit’s early dismissal.
Middle Order Attempts a Recovery
Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul provided some stability with a steady 43-run partnership. Despite being India’s best batter in the series so far, Rahul was moved to number three in the order. However, his resistance was cut short by a brilliant delivery from Cummins that uprooted his off stump just before the tea break.
With quick wickets falling early, India’s middle order, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant, now carries the burden of reviving the innings. The team will aim to avoid relying too heavily on their all-rounders — Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja — who, while dependable, are not specialist batters.
Rohit’s Struggles Under Scrutiny
Rohit Sharma’s underwhelming performance in the second half of 2024 has drawn significant backlash. Fans and cricket experts alike criticized his dismissal as a lapse in judgment, labeling his shot selection as careless and “lazy.” Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting also weighed in, adding to the growing scrutiny surrounding Rohit’s role as a leader and a batter.
India’s Challenge Ahead
As India fights to stay in the contest, the team will need significant contributions from their star players to remain competitive. For Rohit Sharma, the pressure to deliver in the second innings looms large, with the outcome of the match — and potentially the series — resting heavily on his ability to lead from the front.
