India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, has had to work hard in the ongoing fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The match has been a challenging one for the Indian team, with Australia putting them under pressure right from the start after winning the toss and opting to bat.
Debutant Sam Konstas was the star of the opening hour, taking the attack to Jasprit Bumrah and unsettling the Indian pacer’s rhythm. Konstas’s aggressive approach gave Australia a flying start, but it was Marnus Labuschagne who then took centre stage and continued the onslaught. Labuschagne looked solid at the crease, playing some brilliant shots and making sure his team remained in a commanding position.
WATCH – Jasprit Bumrah’s Bemused Reaction After Dismissing Usman Khawaja
His performance has made Rohit Sharma think deeply about field placements and bowling changes. The skipper has been visibly frustrated with the lack of breakthroughs, and it was clear in his body language as he sought a way to break the partnership. This frustration boiled over in the 47th over when Rohit was seen warning Marnus Labuschagne for running on the pitch. The Indian captain went up to Labuschagne and was seen scolding him before taking his position in the field.
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Despite the warning, Marnus Labuschagne didn’t seem to heed the advice, as he continued to run on the pitch during his subsequent innings. This prompted Rohit to issue a third warning to the Australian batter, showing his growing frustration. The situation added to the tension in what has been a hard-fought contest between the two teams, with India desperately seeking a breakthrough to regain control of the game.
WATCH – Mohammed Siraj Leaves Marnus Labuschagne With Painful Blows and A Visible Mark
Australia Playing XI: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
India Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.
