NEW DELHI: Cricket experts criticised India’s captain Rohit Sharma following their second Test defeat in Adelaide, suggesting he lacked the necessary assertiveness to defeat Australia on their home ground.
Australia equalised the series 1-1 with a comprehensive 10-wicket victory within three days of the pink ball match on Sunday.
The 37-year-old Rohit, who missed India’s initial victory in Perth whilst awaiting his second child’s birth, returned to lead but performed poorly, scoring only three and six runs.
He opted to bat at number six instead of his usual opening position, making way for KL Rahul, who had performed admirably in the Perth Test victory.
Rohit Sharma press conference after loss in Adelaide Test vs Australia
Former India all-rounder Ravi Shastri advocated for Rohit’s return to the opening position to maximise his attacking capabilities.
“Thought he was a little too subdued, just seeing his body language,” Shastri told broadcasters on Sunday.
“That’s the reason I want him at the top. That’s where he can be aggressive and expressive… I just wanted to see him more involved, and a little more animated.”
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Former opener Aakash Chopra offered direct criticism of the captain’s performance.
“Let’s call a spade a spade,” he said. “We saw defensive captaincy. He allowed the match to drift.”
Monday’s newspapers responded harshly to India’s defeat, with the Times of India describing the third-day conclusion as “short and not so sweet”.
Rohit acknowledged post-match that India’s batting performance was inadequate, particularly their first innings total of 180 in the day-night Test.
Former captain Sunil Gavaskar advised Indian batsmen to exercise greater restraint and improve their shot selection for the third Test, commencing Saturday in Brisbane.
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He supported Rohit’s return to opening, suggesting it would allow him to capitalise on the new ball and establish substantial early runs.
“If he can get going and get to 20-30 then you could have Rohit Sharma getting a big hundred and (that) is the kind of start which you want,” Gavaskar told broadcaster India Today.
Rohit’s recent Test performance shows only one half-century and eight single-digit scores in his previous 12 innings since India’s home series against Bangladesh in September.
Additionally, he led India to a 0-3 defeat against New Zealand – their first home series loss in over ten years – before the Australia series.