New Delhi: Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh emphasized the importance of skipper Rohit Sharma rediscovering his batting form, stating that it is crucial not only for India’s success but also for Rohit’s leadership reputation. Following India’s heavy 10-wicket loss to Australia in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide on December 8, both Rohit’s captaincy and batting have faced significant scrutiny.
Rohit missed the Perth Test, where Jasprit Bumrah captained India to a dominant 294-run victory, as he was on paternity leave following the birth of his second child. However, his much-anticipated return for the Adelaide Test did not meet expectations, as the 37-year-old managed scores of just 3 and 6 in his two innings. Speaking to Star Sports, Harbhajan stressed the importance of Rohit overcoming his slump, which began during India’s home series whitewash against New Zealand earlier this year. Harbhajan suggested that a strong performance in the upcoming Brisbane Test could be crucial for Rohit to silence his critics and regain his confidence.
“When such a big player doesn’t score runs, it will become a slight cause for concern. We know that Rohit has great ability and has scored a lot of runs for India. However, he didn’t score runs in this match and the previous series as well. When the runs are not scored, the pressure comes on the batter,” Harbhajan said.
Australia win the second Test and level the series.#TeamIndia aim to bounce back in the third Test.
Scoreboard https://t.co/upjirQCmiV#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Tc8IYLwpan
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 8, 2024
“We won’t want the Indian captain to have the pressure of scoring his own runs, as it could affect his captaincy as well. We hope that he comes back to form. The conditions at other venues like Brisbane might suit him more. He needs to leave this match behind and think about what better can be done going forward and how the team can play better because the team is more important than his form,” he added.
India’s batting struggles were evident in Adelaide, where the loss marked Rohit’s fourth consecutive defeat as Test captain, putting him alongside cricket legends like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Sachin Tendulkar in this unfortunate category. The team’s batting collapse was stark, with scores of just 180 and 175 in their two innings. Mitchell Starc’s brilliant 6/48 performance with the pink ball tore through India’s batting in the first innings, while Australia’s captain Pat Cummins added to the misery with a five-wicket haul in the second innings.
Rohit’s leadership challenges were further intensified by the lack of support from senior players. Aside from 21-year-old all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who displayed potential, none of India’s batters managed to score more than 40 in either innings. With Australia needing just 19 runs to win, the hosts quickly wrapped up the match in just 3.2 overs.
As the Brisbane Test approaches, India will need to regroup swiftly, particularly with the potential return of Josh Hazlewood, which would bolster Australia’s bowling strength. For Rohit Sharma, this Test is crucial not only for salvaging the series but also for reaffirming his skills as both a batsman and a leader on the big stage.
