BGT 2024-25: Manjrekar asks to end Rohit's 'VIP' treatment and save Rahul from doing this! Find out what
Xtra Time Web Desk: India captain Rohit Sharma’s lean patch with the bat persisted during the Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne. Sharma, who returned to his original opening slot in an attempt to reverse his fortunes, lasted just five deliveries in the first innings, managing only three runs before being dismissed by Pat Cummins. The 37-year-old’s attempted pull shot resulted in a simple catch to Scott Boland, leaving India in further trouble.
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar criticized the decision to have Rohit open, calling it "unfair" to KL Rahul, who had been India’s most consistent batter in the series so far. Speaking to media, Manjrekar pointed out that Rahul had shown great composure as an opener in the first three Tests, forming a record partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
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Manjrekar expressed concern over Indian cricket’s tendency to prioritize big-name players over team needs. "Just because Rohit Sharma is out of form and is a senior player, you can’t make changes that reflect poorly on Indian cricket. KL Rahul was sacrificed to accommodate Rohit, and this wasn’t fair to him or the team," he said. Manjrekar also cited Sachin Tendulkar’s example, referencing how the cricketing icon extended his career after the 2011 World Cup to achieve personal milestones.
Despite his criticism, Manjrekar also empathized with Rohit, who has managed just 152 runs in his last 14 Test innings. He acknowledged that the captain is going through a rough patch and attempted to analyze his struggles. "Rohit seems stuck between playing his natural game and defending. His pull shot to a slightly short ball showed he was completely out of place, and it’s clear he’s mentally battling with his approach," Manjrekar added.
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India ended Day 2 in a precarious position, reduced to 164/5 in response to Australia’s mammoth first-innings total of 474. The visitors still trail by 310 runs, with Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja at the crease, trying to salvage the innings. As the debate around Rohit Sharma’s form and team decisions continues, India faces an uphill task to stay alive in the series.
