Border-Gavaskar Trophy: ‘You’ve got to be switched on’: Ricky Ponting slams Rohit Sharma’s shot selection | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: Rohit Sharma‘s pull shot is one of the most iconic and aesthetically pleasing strokes in cricket. It has become synonymous with his batting style and is a key weapon in his arsenal across all formats.
The Indian captain’s pull shot epitomizes why he is often referred to as one of the most gifted batters of his generation.
But when he is going though a horrendous run of form with the bat like nowadays, his famed pull shot, like other aspects of his batting, can appear less effective and sometimes risky. The pull shot, which is usually a source of runs and dominance, may become a liability if mistimed or misjudged.
And that’s exactly what happened on the second day of the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the MCG on Friday.
Rohit’s move to open the batting for the first time in the series backfired when he tried a one-leg halfhearted pull off Cummins, and the top-edge was comfortably taken by mid-on and the Indian captain was out for 3 in the second over of the innings.
This dismissal extended Rohit’s terrible Test form this year, bringing his total number of runs in this series to 22.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, himself a great exponent of the pull shot, was critical of the tame shot by the Indian captain, saying one has to be switched on and make good decisions when facing a formidable bowling line-up.
“That’s just a lazy, not switched on, not up for the moment type of shot. He has been known as one of the best hookers and pullers of the ball since he made his debut, but that is just not there, it is nothing. It is not committed. It is not looking to be aggressive. He is just looking to tap it on the head.”
“Might have held in the wicket, yes, might have seamed away from him a fraction, but if you are going to survive against this Australian attack you have to be switched on and making good decisions. If you are not, they will knock you over every time,” said Ponting on Channel Seven.
Similar criticism for Rohit’s choice of shot came from former Australia cricketer Darren Lehmann. “If he’s going to hit it, hit it Rohit. You’re a class player, you should actually take that on. Plenty of room in the outfield, take it on,” he said on ABC Sport.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan also slammed Rohit for his lazy dismissal. “That’s a really big mistake … it was a nothing shot. He is just (hit it) too early in the innings and hasn’t got used to the pace and bounce. It’s a sad state for the Indian captain, averaging 11 in his past 14 Test innings.”
