Rohit Sharma averages a paltry 5.50 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series ahead of his second innings in Melbourne. (AP)
India captain Rohit Sharma has come under heavy criticism after failing to make a significant score in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as yet. Rohit has managed only 22 runs in the series so far in innings, averaging a paltry 5.50.
The 37-year-old, who has endured a lean Test patch since September, observed sharp critcism after falling for three in the first innings of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. A half-hearted pull shot meant Rohit lent a leading-edge off Pat Cummins to the mid-wicket fielder.
The Indian captain undoubtedly will be in the firing line as India are set to chase a record total at MCG on on Monday, and former Aussie cricketers Mark Waugh and Michael Hussey it will be a do-or-die outing for Rohit.
Waugh, who represented Australia in 120 Tests, said if the decision was upto him as a selector, he would ask Rohit to retire provided another batting failure. “If I was a selector now, it depends on what happens in the second innings, but if he doesn’t make runs in the second innings and we go to Sydney in a crucial Test match, I’d be saying ‘Rohit thank you for your service, you’ve been a great player, but we’re going to bring in Jasprit Bumrah as captain for the SCG and that’s the end of your career’,” Waugh was heard saying during commentary on Sunday.
“It’d be a very tough way for Rohit Sharma to go … he’s averaging 11 in his last 14 innings, so the signs are there that he’s past his best. It happens to all players. All great players come to an end at some stage,” Waugh added.
Former Aussie batter Michael Hussey also agreed to Waugh’s assessment while also calling out Rohit’s timid captaincy and presence on the field. “I don’t think you have to say ‘where are you at?’ You can see where he’s at. The numbers don’t lie. They’ve had a few tough wickets to bat on previous to this tour in India but you just see even his movement in the field (is not good). Even tactically he’s been off the pace as well and he gets a used-by date, everyone does,” Hussey said.
“I think they’ve given him that leniency already because he’s been a great player for India. At some stage that leniency has got to stop and it stops after this Test match unless he makes runs in the second innings,” Hussey added.
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