Indian skipper Rohit Sharma endured a tough moment while preparing for the crucial fourth Border-Gavaskar Test (BGT) against Australia in Melbourne, starting December 26. The 37-year-old was completely beaten by a sharp off-spin delivery from Devdutt Padikkal in the nets.
Rohit has struggled throughout the ongoing series, managing just 19 runs at a dismal average of 6.33 in two Tests. He missed the first match due to the birth of his second child but returned for the second Test, batting at No. 6 as KL Rahul excelled at the top. While Rahul has maintained his strong form as an opener, Rohit has failed to make an impact in his three innings at No. 6.
You can watch the video here:
https://x.com/dasjy0tirmay/status/1870797723206832180?s=46
Rohit has been enduring a prolonged slump in Test cricket since September, averaging below 12 across 13 innings with just one half-century to his name during this stretch.
“Focus on attacking the opposition without overthinking”- Ravi Shastri’s advice to Rohit Sharma
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has urged Rohit Sharma to adopt a clear and aggressive approach to break out of his poor form. The 37-year-old has faced consistent challenges in red-ball cricket in Australia, averaging just 26.68 across 17 innings with three half-centuries and no centuries. Speaking on the ICC Review, Shastri remarked:
“I think he’s got to be very clear in his mindset to go out there and take the attack to the opposition and not worry about anything else. The last thing you want is him to be in two minds whether to defend or attack.”
“In his case, it should be attack. He picks up length quickly, he should take the opposition on at that number. Because if he gets away in the first 10-15 minutes, in any way, he’s not got past that 15-20 minutes, half an hour.”
He added:
“So why don’t you play a natural game, go and take the attack to the opposition and take it from there? Because I think that is his best way of not just coming back into form, winning a game for India as well. Because that number is a crucial number. The best No.6s in the world are the guys who know how to have the ability to counter-attack.”
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.