BGT 2024-25: Should Rohit retire from Tests now? Fans erupt as India captain goes cheaply again!
Xtra Time Web Desk: India captain Rohit Sharma's lean patch with the bat continued as he was dismissed for just 3 runs in the first innings of the Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne. Facing Pat Cummins in the second over of India's innings on Day 2, Rohit played a tentative half-pull to a short delivery that held up on the pitch, resulting in a soft dismissal after just five balls.
This marked another disappointing outing for the Indian skipper, who has scored only 22 runs in four innings this series, with scores of 3, 6, 10, and 3. Fans expressed their frustration on social media, criticizing the lack of focus and intensity in Rohit's performance at the top of the order. As the much-anticipated Test match unfolded, India's hopes for a strong start rested heavily on their captain, but his early departure left the team and supporters searching for answers.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Retirement Shot,Rohit Sharma?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvsAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvsAUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/X2GLBEJo15">pic.twitter.com/X2GLBEJo15</a></p>— GANESH (@TheWorldlyO) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheWorldlyO/status/1872482114362560596?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Rohit Sharma's contributions to India’s Test team are under the microscope after another disappointing performance with the bat. The skipper had shifted to the middle order in the previous matches in Adelaide and Brisbane but failed to deliver there as well.
Rohit had relinquished his opening spot to accommodate KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top of the order. However, a reshuffle in Melbourne—triggered by Shubman Gill’s exclusion—saw Rohit reinstated as an opener. Despite the move, he struggled once again, leaving questions about his form and role in the team.
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India's struggles under Rohit Sharma's leadership continued as questions arose over his captaincy and form in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. After missing the first Test in Perth, where stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah led India to a commanding 295-run win, Rohit’s return in Adelaide has coincided with a dip in the team’s fortunes.
On Day 2 in Adelaide, Rohit faced criticism for his handling of the bowlers, as Australia piled on a massive 474 in their first innings, including 143 runs in a dominant first session. Former head coach Ravi Shastri voiced his concerns, saying, "India ran out of ideas. Australia executed their plan brilliantly, and their scoring rate made things far easier for them."
Adding to India’s woes, Rohit’s personal form has been lackluster. With only one fifty in his last 14 Test innings in 2024, his contributions as both a captain and batsman remain under scrutiny.
