Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s woeful run in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy was on full display on Friday during the fourth and crucial Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Rohit, who had moved down to the No. 6 position for the second and third Tests following a poor string of performances, returned to his usual opening spot. However, his comeback at the top order ended in another failure, raising concerns about his form.
Rohit Sharma’s batting struggle
Rohit’s decision to bat at No. 6 in the previous matches didn’t yield the desired results. In the three innings he played in that position, the Indian captain managed only 19 runs at a dismal average of 6.33. Comparisons have been drawn to his performance during the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the same venue, where he scored a crucial unbeaten 63 off 114 balls at No. 6, helping India declare at 443/7. That composed knock, featuring five fours, contributed significantly to India’s dominant 137-run victory. However, his inability to replicate such form in this series has been glaring.
Resuming his position as an opener, Rohit had an opportunity to redeem himself, but his innings lasted only 14 balls. Australian skipper Pat Cummins once again got the better of him, dismissing the Indian captain for just three runs. This marked the seventh time Cummins has claimed Rohit’s wicket in Test cricket, highlighting the latter’s struggles against the Aussie pacer.
Cummins has been a constant thorn in Rohit’s side in the longest format, dismissing him seven times in 199 deliveries, with Rohit averaging a meager 18.1 against the Australian spearhead. Rohit’s dismissal not only added pressure to India’s batting lineup but also amplified scrutiny over his inconsistent form, especially after replacing an in-form KL Rahul at the opening slot.
Also WATCH: Rohit Sharma’s frustration mounts as a pitch invader’s on-field intrusion halts play on Day 2 of the AUS vs IND Test
Rohit’s poor record against Pat Cummins
Rohit’s poor performances against Cummins across formats have been a talking point. While he has managed to succeed against the Australian bowler in limited-overs cricket, Tests have been a different story. Cummins’ consistent ability to exploit Rohit’s weaknesses, particularly with movement and pace, has led to repeated dismissals, underscoring the Indian skipper’s vulnerability against high-quality fast bowling.
With the stakes high in the series decider, Rohit’s form—or lack thereof—could prove pivotal to India’s fortunes. His inability to score runs consistently has not only hurt India’s batting depth but also placed additional burden on the middle order to compensate for the early dismissals.
For Rohit, the road ahead appears challenging. With questions looming over his place in the top order and his ability to handle pressure situations, the Indian captain must quickly find a way to overcome his struggles. As India fights to stay competitive in this Test, the focus will remain firmly on their skipper to lead by example.
The onus now lies on the rest of the Indian lineup to step up and fill the void left by Rohit’s failures. With Australia holding the upper hand, India must rally as a unit to keep their hopes alive in this high-stakes encounter.
Here’s the video:
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is gone for just three runs! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/m1fLiqKLO7
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2024
Also WATCH: Steve Smith’s unlucky dismissal after an outstanding century on Day 2 of the AUS vs IND 4th Test
