Rohit Sharma Sanjay Manjrekar, IND vs AUS: In the all-important fourth test match in India vs Australia series, Australia put up a mighty first-innings total of 481. India have to win this match to qualify for the test championship. So both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill started the third day of the fourth test match with an attacking mindset.
They were not afraid to hit big shots at Mitchell Starc, even though the tall, left-arm quick player decided to hit it hard. Starc was flat-batted down the ground when Gill made room, exposed his stumps, and made room.
At the other end, Rohit used a different tactic to stop Starc from hitting short balls over the wicket. He used his preferred pull shot. And it was effective. In the fifteenth over, he hit Starc for a big six and a four. Starc was partially hurt by India’s attack because Steve Smith had to use left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann from Starc’s end.
Nathan Lyon at the other end was keeping the Indian pair honest while Mitchell Starc‘s bowling was delivering all the boundaries. Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma failed to hit even one boundary. In point of fact, Lyon foxed Gill a few times by varying his length and pace. However, Rohit was quite at ease defending the off-spinner from the front foot.
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Rohit joins the elite club of Sachin and Kohli
The Indian captain reached 17000 international runs and appeared poised for a significant one. In the current Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he was the only Indian batter to score a century. In the first Test in Nagpur, he had accomplished it under extremely challenging conditions. This Ahmedabad track was much better for batting and stroking through the line than that pitch.
Rohit’s only concern was avoiding becoming impatient. Matthew Kuhnemann bowled and pitched one slightly short on the final delivery of the 21st over. Rohit was not reached immediately after the ball came to a stop on the field. The right-hander, who had been playing so well up until that point, had no control over the speed of his bat. He stuck with his backfoot punch and caught Marnus Labuschagne with a simple catch in short cover.
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As soon as he took the catch, he let out a jubilant scream. He knew it. It was known to every Australian cricketer. Rohit knew he messed up big time. It was known by both the commentators and the large crowd at the largest cricket stadium in the world. Rohit would be devastated by this, as it was a crucial turning point in the game and one that might just bring the game in Australia’s favour.
Rohit would be disgusted by himself
“He would be kicking himself,” said commentator and former India coach Ravi Shastri at the time. That is weak. Would that be true for you? He has made a direct hit that shortens extra cover. He’ll be mad at himself. He was batting with such grace.”
In his commentary, Sunil Gavaskar stated, “The ball might have stopped a little bit.”
Rohit Sharma would be “disgusted with himself,” according to Murali Kartik. Rohit will feel the deepest resentment toward himself. It was a lively beginning. He appeared extremely at ease out there. He attempted to punch for a single with the short ball, but Kuhnemann sent it straight to Labuschagne.
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