“Shadow Of Old Self”: Inside Rohit Sharma’s Last Batting Session With Team India Ahead Of fifth Test

Ahead of the fifth and last Test between India and Australia, the main focus in utterly on Rohit Sharma. The India captain goes by way of a lean patch within the format, having scored solely 31 runs throughout three matches at a mean of 6.2 within the ongoing sequence Down Under. Sources have advised NDTV that Rohit may very well be “rested” for the fifth Test that’s set to happen on the Sydney Cricket Ground, beginning January 3. To make issues look worse for the captain, a PTI report has mentioned that the participant struggled throughout batting within the nets on the eve of the SCG sport.

“Rohit quietly walked into the net arena and without his kit. While (Gambhir) Gambhir stood at the farthest net, talking to (Jasprit) Bumrah, Rohit was at the other end conversing with video analyst Hari Prasad. They stood in their respective places and there was not even minimal interaction between the two,” the report mentioned.

“After the top-order had almost finished their session, Rohit entered the nets. It was just like MCG where he had come to bat after all recognised batters had finished their stint even though he was set to open the innings,” it added.

The similar report additionally claimed that Rohit struggled to India’s fielding coach T Dilip’s throwdowns and that he was late to react to the deliveries.

“How did Rohit look during his 30-odd minutes of practice? To be honest, he looked a shadow of his old self. He was bowled after missing the line of T Dilip’s throwdown. His reaction to deliveries were late,” the report defined.

The sources additionally advised NDTV that it is going to be vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah who will lead the facet at SCG if Rohit is “rested” for the sport.

Notably, Bumrah led India to a 295-run victory within the first sport of the sequence in Perth. Rohit had missed the sport because of the beginning of his second youngster. He then returned and took over the captaincy from Bumrah for the subsequent three matches. Out of the three, India misplaced two and drew one sport.