Mumbai: As Team India was consigned to a 184-run humiliation by Australia in the crucial Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the embattled Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, in the words of Ricky Ponting, seemed to be subsisting on borrowed time. Sharma, 37, had returned to his favoured position as opener in the first innings but fell for just three, spooning a delivery from Pat Cummins to wide mid-on, continuing his lackluster form. With just 31 runs from five innings, averaging 6.20 in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rohit has endured a wretched run that shows no signs of abating.
The jury is more or less out on his future in Test cricket. Perhaps Rohit himself sees the writing on the wall and is candid enough to admit that he needs to introspect about his performances. “Obviously, a few results haven’t gone our way. As a captain, yes, that is disappointing. Yes, as a batter as well, a lot of things I’m trying to do are not falling into place. But mentally, it is disturbing without a doubt. If you’ve come here, you want to successfully do what you are supposed to. If those things don’t fall into place, that’s a big disappointment,” he said in the post-match press conference.
Rohit has been winless in his last six Tests as captain, including the shocking 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand at home in October-November. Just 123 runs with the bat in those six Tests have not helped his cause either, with experts and commentators feeling that the skipper is a pale shadow of his former self. Next week’s fifth Test in Sydney will be the last time the Indian side plays Test cricket until their five-match tour of England, beginning in June. With both Rohit’s and fellow veteran Virat Kohli’s futures uncertain, the pressure is mounting. However, Rohit remains optimistic about India turning things around in the fifth and final Test in Sydney.
Not Out Of The Race
India is still mathematically not out of the race to qualify for the WTC final against South Africa. A win at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) will keep India in the hunt, but they will need to hope that Australia does not secure more than one draw in their two-match Test series in Sri Lanka. The selectors will make the final decision in the coming days, but Rohit Sharma’s career hangs in the balance.
Paceman Jasprit Bumrah is the leading candidate to replace Sharma, should the BCCI or Rohit decide to end his tenure before the England series. Bumrah is the highest wicket-taker in the ongoing series, with 30 scalps at an average of 12.83. He displayed his skill yet again at the MCG, striking thrice in quick succession in the first innings to pull India back into the mix. In the second innings, Bumrah lived up to his reputation, finishing the match with figures of 9/156.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has raised serious concerns about Rohit Sharma’s place in the Test team amidst his prolonged slump in form following India’s 184-run defeat in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Pathan has pointed out that Rohit’s current place in the playing XI is more due to his role as captain than his performances with the bat. Now, even the captaincy is under scrutiny.
