- People closely following the fortunes of Team India would have noticed how cricket has grown in even more popularity courtesy of some remarkable performers representing the country with great distinction. One of the most profound contributors to the cause of Indian cricket is none other than the hitman Rohit Sharma. Rohit’s remarkable performances over the last decade-plus years have been singularly spectacular simply because of his attacking instincts and lazy elegance that we have all come to admire so much. Ever since he was promoted to open the innings, Rohit has evolved as a complete batsman prepared to take the attack to the opposition. Indeed, the performance of the hitman needs no further elaboration as the statistics speak for themselves.
PC: The Indian Express
- Now, we are aware of how cricket is termed the game of uncertainties and also how the form of a player can nosedive in no time. Recollect how the country celebrated when Team India won the coveted ICC-sponsored T20 World Cup last year after a yawning gap of 13 years. Who led the team from the front? Who else but Rohit Sharma? Before that, his unselfish opening bursts during the 50-over World Cup set the stage on fire taking Team India to the finals unscathed. Unfortunately, Team India could not cross the final hurdle when the spirited Aussies steamrolled the home favourites into tame submission. Yes, the cricketer’s class is always considered permanent even as the form sometimes eludes. Rohit Sharma is no exception to this norm.
PC: News Arena
- What ensued aftermath of the T20 World Cup triumph is the sudden dip in the form of Rohit Sharma especially in the Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, respectively. True cricket lovers were hoping that Rohit would turn a corner in Tests by scoring a substantial knock or two to ensure Team India’s fortunes are well served. Unfortunately, his poor form continued into the all-important five-match Test series in Australia. His string of poor scores in the three Tests played demonstrates that he has fallen into a rut unable to score freely or dominate the bowlers like yore. So much so that his continuation in the team itself came to be questioned in the last Test resulting in his being dropped from the playing eleven. Of course, this was on expected lines.
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PC: Firstpost
- In hindsight, Rohit opting to stay away from the first Test at Perth due to personal reasons and dropping down the order after returning for the second did not yield desired results. His subsequent revert to opening the batting in the third and fourth Test turned out to be no better either. The rumours of discord in the dressing room started making rounds leading to unnecessary attention on the players already under pressure. The captaincy of Rohit was rightly under scrutiny and the muddled thinking afflicting the leader was obvious when some tactical blunders came to the fore. As such, Rohit getting dropped for the last Test at Sydney is no surprise and for all practical purpose we have seen the last of him in the classic format of the game.
