NEWS
Follow UsRohit Sharma’s slump in Test cricket has become quite evident at the moment, with just 155 runs in the last 14 innings, averaging 11.07. Barring that 52 against New Zealand in Bengaluru, Rohit has failed to put up a fifty in the other 13 innings, leading to criticism over his batting.
Former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh also joined the bandwagon, firing an ultimatum to the Indian skipper, who has failed in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy till now (22 runs @5.5), stating that he would drop him from the setup if he fails in the second innings of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Test.
"If I was a selector now, it depends what happens in the second innings, but if he doesn't make runs in the second innings and we go to Sydney in a crucial Test match, I'd be saying, 'Rohit, thank you for your service, you've been a great player, but we're going to bring in Jasprit Bumrah as captain for the SCG and that's the end of your career'," Waugh told Fox Cricket.
"... it'd be a very tough way for Rohit Sharma to go ... his last 14 innings' he averages 11, so the signs are there that he's past his best. It happens to all players. All great players come to an end at some stage."
While Waugh did accept that there were a few tough wickets in India, he still was hard on Rohit’s technique, stating that his movement out there on the field wasn’t good. Not just that, Rohit’s ability as a leader too has come under the scanners, following India’s lacklustre show in Brisbane and Melbourne.
"The numbers don't lie. They've had a few tough wickets to bat on previous to this tour in India but you just see even his movement in the field [is not good]. Even tactically he's been off the pace as well and he gets a used by date, everyone does.
"I think they've given him that leniency already because he's been a great player for India.
"At some stage, that leniency has got to stop, and it stops after this Test match unless he makes runs in the second innings."
