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IND vs AUS: Don’t Ask For an Overhaul, Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli Know When to Quit Test Cricket | Opinion

One loss in a Test match is enough to demand an overhaul in Indian cricket. Fans and experts, which includes former legends of cricket as well, fail to understand the Pink Ball Test against Australia in BGT Series in raucous Adelaide was always loaded against India.

It made for interesting viewing many Indian players, Virat Kohli included, returned to net sessions after the defeat. That is the best thing to do, practice with the red ball and get over the Pink Ball nightmare.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

Wallowing in self-pity, indulging in post mortems is not what a cricket team does after a defeat, which happened as early as the third day in Adelaide. People are forgetting one thing, a five-day Test ending on the third day itself is mindless.

The Perth Test was won by India on the fourth day. It has been fascinating to hear on YouTube and TV plus read reactions from fans on social media and an expert piece from Sanjay Manjrekar how badly Rohit is performing.

In India, the average cricket fan/lover is extremely discerning. Where the fan gets too emotional, it leads to an outburst, where social media comes in handy. It's like pick your phone and post the most scathing comment.

At the same time, if social media becomes a kangaroo court of sorts, half the cricketers would have been put back on the flight to India. This is just not needed.

The way Rohit Sharma spoke after the defeat was mature. He explained it well. For those who mentioned he was not talking about his own batting at the press conference, which has been dismal for six Tests in a row, there are many suggestions.

The same Ravi Shastri who had said Rohit should bat in the middle order now says he should return to the top. If someone as mature as Shastri, indeed a cerebral commentator can also fall for the trap, why blame the common critic.

When KL Rahul came in as a life-saving opener in Perth, he was praised sky high. It made sense for Rahul to bat in the same position in Adelaide.

People are making it out if Rohit has never played in the middle order. This is where he began his Test career in 2013, so let him do what he needs to, as captain. He knows till such time as the BCCI tells him pack up.

To say everything is gloom and doom would be extreme negativity. The approach from Nitish Reddy in the first innings was refreshing, bold and daring. That's the way a Yashavsi Jaiswal or even a Rishabh Pant also bat.

You cannot ask them to become meek cricketers, play 'tuk-tuk' cricket. No, if you are competing against the Aussies, you have to play hard cricket. The course correction for the third Test will happen.

Effort can be promised, not results. Brisbane will also be fast and furious, that's certain. How much spine India shows in the third Test will be indeed defining. Rohit Sharma, himself, will want to strike form.

Any chatter on sacking him as a captain can be put on hold till the end of the BGT Series, which is still three more Tests away. Nobody is going to remove Rohit right away. He has been a thorough team man, spoken well and articulated himself well at the Sunday press conference.

For those who feel Virat Kohli is a spent force, past prime, did you not celebrate his Perth ton the 30th in Tests. Be critical but do not get personal. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will go when they need to, fans and experts cannot become super selectors and draw out a Dream 11.

It was heartening to hear from the captain on how the bowlers have fared, some failed.. Jaspit Bumrah has been the bulwark in bowling and has managed the workload.

Rohit has spoken of how the support staff which consists of sport science experts, doctors, physios and trainers assess him constantly. His reference to Bumrah can't bowl from both ends was sarcastic, if you hear it again.

Bumrah has not looked ragged even once and will show the same energy in the three Tests ahead. That is what defines Bumrah. At the same time, Mohd Siraj needs to be celebrated for his bravado, being aggressive and taking on Travis Head and the drunk Adelaide fans.

Siraj has the heart and strength to be a fast bowler. What is Test cricket minus exchanges between a fast bowler and a batter. Siraj being Siraj will now be a challenge for the Aussies, he has done well to play the mind games and also take wickets.

So, does Harshit Rana become despondent. No way, he is young and has immense potential. Bringing in an unfit Mohd Shami from India makes no sense. His fitness is still below par.

The right mix is important and which spinner gets the nod for Brisbane will be important. If someone like R.Ashwin failed with the Pink Ball, you can imagine how much the Indian bowlers struggled.

The biggest area where India have to show massive improvement is in batting. A score of at least 300 is need, if batting first. For that to happen, the top order needs to click.

All eyes will be on Jaiswal, Rahul, Shubman Gill and the rest. Writing off Team India will be the easiest thing to do as a heartless hack or social media expert with massive following on X, Insta and YouTube!

Story first published: Monday, December 9, 2024, 7:53 [IST]
Other articles published on Dec 9, 2024
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