Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has come under fire for making a controversial call during the Melbourne Test, prioritizing his position in the batting order over the team’s needs. The decision to demote an in-form KL Rahul to No. 3 and replace Shubman Gill with himself at the top of the order has sparked debate, particularly after India suffered a crushing 184-run defeat.
A Bold Call That Backfired
Rohit, who had been batting in the middle order during the Adelaide and Brisbane Tests without much success, opted to open at the MCG despite KL Rahul’s strong performances as an opener. The move forced Rahul to drop to No. 3 and saw Shubman Gill excluded from the XI despite his consistency in 2023, where he was the second-highest run-scorer for India.
Unfortunately for Rohit, the decision did not pay off. He managed just 3 and 9 in his two innings, while Rahul also struggled in his unfamiliar position. This reshuffling of the batting order left India in a vulnerable position, leading to a decisive loss.
Aakash Chopra’s Take
Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra did not hold back in his criticism of Rohit’s decision. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra noted that this was the first instance where Rohit appeared to prioritize his own role over the team’s best interests.
“In the past, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli made bold calls to promote Rohit as an opener, both in ODIs and Tests, to help him thrive. But this time, as captain, Rohit took a call that seemed to benefit him rather than the team,” Chopra said.
He added that Rahul had been performing well as an opener, and Gill, who looked solid in recent matches, was unfairly dropped. “Shubman Gill played well in tough situations, including Adelaide, but had to make way for this change, which wasn’t in India’s best interest.”
‘Rohit Thought About Himself…’
Chopra further criticized Rohit’s approach, stating it was the first time the captain appeared to prioritize his personal role over the team’s success.
“Rohit thought about himself, not the team, and it didn’t work out. For the first time in his captaincy career, his decision was self-serving, and it backfired as India couldn’t even secure a draw,” Chopra remarked.
The Fallout
India’s defeat at the MCG has put additional scrutiny on Rohit Sharma’s leadership decisions. With key players like Gill and Rahul being shuffled unnecessarily, questions are being raised about the long-term strategy and team dynamics under Rohit’s captaincy.
As the team moves forward, the focus will be on whether Rohit can learn from this misstep and realign his decisions to serve the team’s best interests.
