‘That shot was inexcusable’ – Sanjay Manjrekar slams ‘experienced’ Rohit Sharma for throwing his wicket away

KEY STORY

• Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar slammed Rohit Sharma for throwing his wicket away by playing an ‘inexcusable’ shot against Nathan Lyon in the fourth Test on Saturday.

• Indian vice-captain and senior batsman Rohit Sharma was criticised by many on social media for throwing his wicket away on Day 2 of the ongoing fourth Test between India and Australia in Brisbane.

• Rohit was looking in fine form and was just 6 runs short of his half-century when a poor shot from the opener led to his dismissal in the 20th over of India’s first innings at The Gabba.

• India lost opener Shubman Gill (7) cheaply on Day 2 before Rohit and Cheteshwar Pujara steadied the ship for the visitors.

• While Pujara looked in control and held the innings from one end, Rohit was more aggressive and looking to take chances on the other end.

• With the help of six boundaries, Rohit reached 44 and was close to his fifty when he decided to take on Nathan Lyon in the 20th over.

• Rohit went after the off-spinner and ended up getting caught by Mitchell Starc at mid-on. His shot-selection was questioned by many with former India batsman and popular commentator Sanjay Manjrekar calling it an ‘inexcusable shot’. “Considering the experience missing in the team, that shot from an experienced Rohit Sharma was inexcusable,” – Manjrekar wrote on Twitter.

Considering the experience missing in the team, that shot from an experienced Rohit Sharma was inexcusable. #AUSvsIND

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 16, 2021

Rohit’s dismissal brought India on the backfoot again before Pujara and skipper Ajinkya Rahane took control. The duo could add only 2 runs to the scoreboard before the day’s play was called off due to rain and wet outfield. Pujara and Rahane remained unbeaten on 8 and 2 runs respectively as India ended the day with 62/2 on the board.

• Earlier, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who is on commentary duties in Australia for the host broadcaster – 7Cricket, had also criticised Rohit for his reckless shot which led to his dismissal.

  “That’s an unbelievable and irresponsible shot from Rohit Sharma. You’ve just hit a boundary earlier, why would you play that? You’re a senior player, there’s no excuse for this. An unnecessary wicket gifted away, totally unnecessary”, Gavaskar said on air after Rohit was dismissed by Lyon, who now holds the record for dismissing him the most number of times in Test cricket – 6.