In a surprising turn of events, Rohit Sharma debut as India’s Test captain in South Africa didn’t go as planned. Not only did he face a tough time with the bat, succumbing to Kagiso Rabada in both innings, but his captaincy drew criticism from former Indian cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath. Badrinath raised questions about why Virat Kohli, with a superior Test batting record and leadership prowess, was not leading the side in the red-ball format.
Rohit Sharma struggle against Kagiso Rabada deliveries in Centurion added to India’s woes.
In the first innings, he fell victim to an uncontrolled pull shot, a trademark in white-ball cricket, while in the second, Rabada’s precise delivery dismissed him.
The Test skipper’s woes extended to captaincy, as his strategic decisions during Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur’s bowling failed to contain South Africa, resulting in a substantial first innings total.
Four Consecutive losses: India’s SENA Challenge
India’s recent Test performances in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) have raised concerns, with four consecutive losses.
The Centurion defeat intensified scrutiny on Rohit Sharma leadership and prompted Badrinath to question the choice of captaincy.
Virat Kohli credentials: A Test Captaincy Debate
Subramaniam Badrinath emphatically pointed to Virat Kohli’s remarkable record as a Test leader, advocating for his return to captaincy. Kohli’s captaincy boasts over 58 percent wins in 68 Tests, featuring victories in Australia, England, South Africa, West Indies, and Sri Lanka.
His exceptional batting record as captain, amassing 5,608 runs with an average of 53.40, further strengthens the argument for his reinstatement.
While Rohit Sharma holds a commendable Test record with 3,682 runs in 53 Tests at an average of 45.45, concerns arise when examining his performances in SENA nations.
In 21 Tests across these countries, Rohit’s average drops to 30.30, raising doubts about his effectiveness as an opener outside India.
Badrinath: Why Rohit Sharma over Virat Kohli?
Subramaniam Badrinath’s outspoken critique has ignited a debate in Indian cricket circles—why Rohit Sharma over Virat Kohli for Test captaincy? As discussions continue, the pressure mounts on Rohit to prove his mettle both as a batsman and a leader, while Kohli’s absence at the helm raises eyebrows among fans and cricket pundits alike. The quest for answers intensifies as India navigates the challenges in the forthcoming Test matches.
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