Nick Knight emphasized the pivotal moment in the India-England Test series when Joe Root’s missed catch of Rohit Sharma altered the trajectory of the games. England, having clinched victory in the series opener in Hyderabad, entered the Rajkot Test with momentum. When India struggled at 47 for 3, England appeared poised for dominance.
However, Tom Hartley’s delivery found Rohit’s edge, only for Root to fail in securing the catch at slip, granting Rohit a crucial reprieve at 27 runs. Subsequently, Rohit Sharma capitalized on this opportunity, crafting a masterful 131-run innings from 196 balls. His performance proved instrumental as India secured a staggering 434-run victory, propelling them to a 2-1 series lead.
Nick Knight underscored how this dropped chance revitalized Rohit, pushing him to elevate his game and exert significant pressure on the England team throughout the series.
ALSO READ: Brad Haddin and Tim Paine Criticize Ben Stokes’ Comments On India-England Series
Speaking about the incident, Nick Knight stated, “About Rohit, I go back to one factor that might have determined the outcome of the series, and it’s Joe Root dropping Rohit in Rajkot. Rohit got an outside edge off Tom Hartley, and Root put that down. At that point, he was contributing but not big scores. From that moment onwards, he has pushed on. When you look back at the bigger picture of the series, it was quite crucial.”
Nick Knight elaborated on the psychological impact of such pivotal moments, suggesting that Root’s missed opportunity might have contributed to a sense of vulnerability within the England camp. He juxtaposed the performances of Rohit and Ben Stokes, highlighting how individual displays often influence team dynamics.
The dropped catch, according to Nick Knight, served as a turning point, catalyzing Rohit’s surge in form and shaping the series’ outcome. Following his century in Rajkot, Rohit continued to excel, accumulating 400 runs across five matches at an impressive average of 50 and a strike-rate of 58.8.
WATCH – MS Dhoni’s Return To Chepauk For Practice And Session Sparks Excitement
Rohit Sharma’s consistency, marked by two centuries and two fifties, underscored his pivotal role in India’s success. However, in the fifth Test in Dharamsala, Rohit’s impressive innings was cut short by an exceptional delivery from Ben Stokes, highlighting the intensity and drama inherent in Test cricket.
