Pujara: Rohit’s Shift to Number 6 Batting Spot Disrupted His Rhythm
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Brisbane, Dec 17 (NationPress) Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara brought attention to Rohit Sharma’s challenges in the ongoing series against Australia, asserting that the captain's transition to the number 6 batting position has thrown off his rhythm and contributed to his poor form.
On Day 4 of the third Test at Gabba, India's batting struggles persisted as captain Rohit Sharma once again had a disappointing outing, scoring merely 10 runs off 27 balls against Australia captain Pat Cummins.
Rohit's performance in the ongoing series has sparked concerns, with Pujara noting that the shift from opening the innings to the middle order can lead to uncertainty, which impacts a player’s momentum and decision-making in high-pressure situations.
Rohit’s dismissal followed a familiar pattern, as Cummins managed to find his edge for the sixth time in just 12 innings. Cummins had set him up with a sharp bouncer before delivering a well-placed ball that tempted the Indian captain into a drive. In an attempt to punch the ball through the off side, Rohit misjudged the bounce and seam movement, resulting in a catch to the slip cordon.
"It wasn't a length suitable for driving. Even a fuller-length ball is tough to drive. He attempted to punch that ball instead of defending it, allowing the ball to come to him. The pressure is on him since he hasn’t been scoring runs," Pujara remarked during a segment on Star Sports.
Having previously opened the innings, Rohit has now dropped to number 6 to make space for KL Rahul at the top of the order. Pujara indicated that this adjustment might be weighing on Rohit’s mind.
“He has been opening the innings, and now he's batting at number 6. That’s for the team's benefit, but I believe that when you are accustomed to opening the innings, waiting to bat can introduce doubt. It hampers your momentum when you switch from opening to batting at number 6,” he added.
Despite Rohit’s early exit, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja provided a much-needed boost to the Indian innings with a hearty 67-run partnership. Rahul, benefiting from a dropped catch by Steve Smith on the first ball of the day, showcased his skillful batting by scoring 84, narrowly missing a century.
However, Jadeja was crucial in resisting alongside Jasprit Bumrah before Cummins dismissed him for a valiant 77. Currently, India finds itself struggling at 221/9, still 25 runs shy of avoiding the follow-on.
