- Rohit Sharma’s woes at the crease continue
- Indian captain’s place in the team is under threat
- Ponting has questioned his mental strength
Australian cricket great Ricky Ponting believes embattled Indian captain Rohit Sharma is on borrowed time after his “lazy” dismissal in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
Sharma, 37 years old, He returned to his favored opening position in the first inning, but fell for just three while spooning. Pat Cummins to half to continue a terrible run at Test level.
At his best, an authoritative figure at the crease who shoots with intent, Rohit poked the back of a long delivery from Cummins after preparing to play his trademark shot.
The dismissal, branded “lazy” by Ponting, comes as the hosts assumed control of the field as they look to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
Ponting felt Rohit’s false delivery suggested he was not mentally prepared for the heat of battle on his return to the top of the order after previously batting for six in Brisbane and Adelaide.
“That’s just a lazy, not-on, not-for-the-moment kind of shot,” a wild Ponting said in a commentary for Channel 7.
Australian cricket great Ricky Ponting believes Indian captain Rohit Sharma is in trouble after his “lazy” dismissal in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Sharma, 37, returned to his favored opener’s position in the first innings but fell for just three when he pounced on a Pat Cummins delivery at mid-on to continue a poor run at Test level.
Sharma scored just 155 runs at 11.07 in his last 14 Test innings (pictured, after his dismissal from MCG)
“He’s been known as one of the best hookers and shooters on the ball since he made his debut, but that’s just not there, it’s nothing.
‘He is not committed. He is not trying to be aggressive. He’s just looking to pat him on the head.
“He may have stayed on the wicket, yes he may have gone a fraction away from it, but if you want to survive against this Australian attack you have to be active and make good decisions.”
“If you’re not, they’ll take you down every time.”
Next week’s fifth Test in Sydney will be the last time the Indian team plays Test cricket until a five-match tour of England starting in June, with the futures of Rohit and fellow veteran Virat Kohli on shaky ground.
Rohit, who now has just 155 runs at 11.07 in his last 14 Test innings, missed the Perth Test to be at the birth of his second child, with pacer Jasprit Bumrah taking the reins.
The standout from both sides of the series achieved a complete and spirited victory for the tourists.
Bumrah would be the leading candidate to replace Sharma in case he or the BCCI decide to end his tenure before the England series.