Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has asked the Indian players to utilise the extended break after Adelaide defeat to focus on their weaknesses, and avoid resting and spending leisurely time in the city.
Speaking to Star Sports he said, “Look at the remainder of the series as a three-match series. Forget that it’s a five-match series. What I would like the Indian team to do is use the next couple of days as practice. You can’t be sitting in your hotel rooms because you have come here to play cricket.”
He added,”You don’t have to practice the whole day, you can practice a session in morning or afternoon, but don’t waste the two days. You would’ve been here playing a Test if it went for five days,”
Australia crushed India by 10-wickets in Adelaide to level the five-match series 1-1.
Sunil Gavaskar on Rohit Sharma’s footwork
Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar also pointed out the root of Rohit Sharma’s problems after failing to score runs during the pink ball test in Adelaide. Gavaskar suggested that the lack of foot movement was the main reason behind his poor show with the bat.
He said, “I think the feet aren’t moving as they should. He needs to do a little bit of exercise before coming to the crease and try to get some circulation going in the legs.”
Gavaskar remarked. He further advised Rohit to do some light exercises before coming to the crease to ensure proper circulation in his legs, such as jogging or running around a bit before facing the first ball. He added,’When he comes in to bat, maybe run in a little bit, so that the circulation is there. Do some jogging before you take the first ball,’
In both innings of the Adelaide Test, the 37-year-old was caught in front of the stumps with minimal foot movement. In the first innings, Scott Boland trapped him in front, and in the second, Pat Cummins breached his defense, knocking over his off-stump.
Rohit’s return to the number 6 position, a spot he hadn’t played at since 2018, didn’t yield the desired results. This led to former players, including Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar, urging him to return to his usual role as an opener for the third Test in Brisbane, where they hoped he would be able to deliver better performances.
