India’s batting legend, Sunil Gavaskar has urged that the Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma needs to take more time at the top of the innings, saying the Indian skipper’s renewed approach to go hammer and tongs is costing his wickets, more often than not. Gavaskar’s comments came after India lost the first of a 3-match T20I series against Australia in Mohali. Rohit Sharma tried to take the attack to the Australian fast bowlers after Aaron Finch won the toss and opted to field.
However, Rohit Sharma was dismissed in the third over of the innings as he was trying to go after every delivery. Rohit played and missed a couple before he was dismissed for 11 from 9 deliveries, Despite Rohit’s early exit and Virat Kohli’s struggle, India posted 208 on the board, thanks to Hardik Pandya’s 30-ball 71 not out, KL Rahul’s fifty, and Suryakumar Yadav’s quickfire 46. However, it was not enough as Australia gunned down the target with 4 balls to spare.
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Explaining the same, during a chat with India Today, Sunil Gavaskar said, “With Rohit Sharma, the range of shot that he has, he doesn’t really have to do what he is looking to do over here, that is step down the pitch even before the bowler has released the ball. The way he has been playing T20 cricket before that, his scoring and strike rate has been phenomenal. It’s been absolutely terrific. He hasn’t tried to do anything more.”
He further explained, “The white ball might move as much as the red ball. But there is just that slight movement which can be the difference between the ball hitting the middle of the bat and the ball taking the edge of the bat.I do believe that Rohit needs to give himself that little more time, he has got all the shots in the book. Even if he gets off to a slow start, he can triple it by the time his innings is over.”
Rohit Sharma has managed to maintain an average of just above 25 in T20Is in 2022 and has struck at 142.76, which is well below his career average of 32. Rohit has often been heard sharing that they are looking to play aggressively at the top and the skipper has been trying to lead the way. However, Rohit’s consistency has taken a hit as he has scored just a couple of fifties in 18 innings this year.
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The Indian skipper only managed to score 133 runs in 4 matches in Asia Cup 2022 where India bowed out without reaching the final. When Rohit took his time and got going, he was able to hit a quickfire 72 against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup.
