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New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS) As the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) approaches, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has cautioned under fire skipper Rohit Sharma to reconsider his aggressive batting style against Australia’s formidable bowling attack.

Sharma, who has been struggling for consistency in Test cricket this year, needs to recalibrate his approach to make a meaningful contribution to India’s campaign in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, currently tied at 1-1.

Rohit’s form in Test cricket has been underwhelming in 2024. From 13 matches, he averages a modest 26.39, a sharp decline from his usually reliable standards. He missed the first Test of the series due to the birth of his second child but returned for the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, only to score a meagre nine runs across two innings. In Brisbane’s rain-affected third Test, he batted at No. 6 and managed just 10 runs in his sole outing.

“He has got that big game. In South Africa, he had that one innings where it was a small target and they went after the bowling, and Rohit Sharma looked really good. But in a Test match in Australia with the kind of bowlers he is contended with, all bowling superbly, it is not easy to take those guys on because his shots are really high-risk shots. He tried that in the home series against New Zealand as well, just to put the bowlers off but got out playing the attacking shot,” Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo.

While Rohit started the year strongly in the home series against England, his form took a significant hit during the Bangladesh series in September and the subsequent New Zealand series.

“He is short of confidence with self-doubts. And it was a bit of a rude shock when he played in that home series against New Zealand and his defence was getting breached on Indian pitches,” Manjrekar added.

According to Manjrekar, Sharma’s inability to focus on a solid defensive foundation is costing him dearly in Test cricket. He compared Rohit’s current struggles to his performances during the 2021 England tour, where he batted with remarkable discipline and a defence-orientated approach.

In 2021, Rohit had an exceptional Test series in England, scoring runs at a strike rate of 42. Manjrekar praised that series as a testament to Rohits’s potential as a disciplined Test batter.

“I remember commentating on that series (2021 England) and kept saying ‘this is Pujara-like’, the way he was grinding away. And I thought it was the rebirth of Rohit Sharma, the Test cricketer, who got those two centuries in his first two Tests. I also felt this is his true calling; this is what he loves to do – which is playing for time like a typical Mumbai batter,” he said.

However, Manjrekar pointed out that Rohit has been unable to replicate that form and approach in recent matches. “Now when he has to bring that game back, he just can’t find the defensive game…,” Manjrekar concluded.

With the series level at 1-1 and two Tests to play, India will face Australia for the fourth Test at MCG starting on Thursday.

–IANS

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Brisbane, Dec 14 (IANS) Former cricketing greats Brett Lee and Ravi Shastri believe the Australian opener Usman Khawaja has the potential to silence his critics with a big innings as rain disrupted the opening day of the third Test between Australia and India at the Gabba.

Scores of 8, 4, 13, and 9 not out in the series have sparked calls for his exclusion, but Khawaja appeared more assertive during his brief stint on Saturday. The left-hander struck a boundary off the second ball after the first rain break, signalling an intent to play positively. He ended the rain-affected day on 19 not out, with Nathan McSweeney unbeaten on four at the other end.

Former Australian pacer Brett Lee noted that Khawaja still shows glimpses of his class and can turn things around with the right rhythm. Speaking on Fox Sports, Lee said, “The signs are good for Usman Khawaja … but he needs the rhythm tomorrow to get back into his game. If he gets the opportunity, he might get a big one.”

The absence of Khawaja’s long-time opening partner, David Warner, has added to the challenge. Warner’s aggressive playing style often complemented Khawaja’s more measured approach, easing the pressure on the latter.

Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri acknowledged the impact of Warner’s absence. “It does affect you big time because a lot of the pressure is taken off you as a batsman when you can play your own game. David would attack at the other end, and the scoreboard would be ticking along,” Shastri explained.

In contrast, McSweeney, playing his first Test series, adopts a more traditional red-ball style, requiring Khawaja to take on more responsibility.

Shastri suggested that the pairing of Khawaja and McSweeney might have influenced India’s decision to bowl first on a green Gabba wicket.

“When runs are not coming at both ends, that’s one of the reasons India must have opted to field first. They could have sensed an opportunity to make early inroads and put pressure on the middle order.

“The top order hasn’t scored some runs, let’s make some early inroads and put pressure on the middle order,” Shastri noted.

With rain allowing only 13.2 overs on day one, India will look to capitalise on the unsettled Australian top order when play resumes on Sunday.

–IANS

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