SA vs IND: Rohit Sharma’s go-to shot in white-ball cricket has been his nemesis in Tests, says Sanjay Manjrekar
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar said India skipper Rohit Sharma’s go-to shot in white-ball cricket has been his nemesis in Tests. Rohit was dismissed playing the pull shot against South Africa on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion.
SA vs IND, Boxing Day Test: Day 1 Live
The India captain was the first wicket to fall in the Freedom Test series as fast-bowler Kagiso Rabada dismissed him for the 13th time in international cricket. Rohit was tested with a short delivery that he pulled towards deep fine leg where Nandre Burger took a comfortable catch to dismiss the Indian skipper.
Speaking at Lunch on Day 1, Manjrekar said Rohit’s favourite shot in white-ball cricket has been his undoing in Tests. Rohit scored 5 runs off 14 deliveries, hitting a solitary boundary before departing in the 5th over.
“It’s interesting that his go to shot, the one shot that he plays in white-ball cricket that puts the opposition on the back foot, has been Rohit Sharma’s nemesis in test cricket. In the last two years, he’s been out seven times playing the pull shot. But the bowler deserves this as it was a great delivery,” said Manjrekar.
Following Rohit’s dismissal, India lost wickets in quick succession with youngsters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill following their skipper back to the pavilion. Jaiswal was dismissed after scoring 17 runs off 37 balls, being caught behind after nicking a Burger delivery in the 10th over.
Just a few minutes later, Gill was dismissed by Burger was he nicked a ball down leg to be caught behind by the wicket-keeper. He scored 2 runs off 12 deliveries. Following the two quick dismissals, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer rebuilt India’s innings, forming a dominant partnership.
The two batters helped India get to 91 for 3 at Lunch, having played 26 overs.
