Rohit Sharma: When things don’t pan out the way we hoped for frustration creeps in. The same happened to Rohit Sharma on day one of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia at Oval. Despite India winning the toss on gloomy overcast conditions, Rohit Sharma & Co failed to seize day one of the summit finale. Worse, the skipper lost his cool on his teammate while setting a field for Ravindra Jadeja and was caught on stump mic saying “Kya Yar Tum Log……”
The incident occurred during the final session of the day when India were desperate to break the partnership between Travis Head and Steve Smith. Rohit threw the ball to Jadeja in the hope that the southpaw provides a wicket. However, Rohit was left fuming in anger when a fielder was not following his instruction. The video of the same was shared by a fan on social media.
IND vs AUS: Rohit Sharma & Co fail to make inroads on the day of the WTC final, Australia in driver’s seat
India pacers could pick only three wickets on day one despite the conditions being helpful in the morning session. Rohit Sharma’s decision to bowl first did not pay rich dividends as the four quicks, Siraj, Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Shardul Thakur, failed to control things in the middle overs.
With India also playing one spinner in Ravindra Jadeja, experts also question Rohit’s decision to leave out Ashwin in the playing XI, with Jadeja getting some purchase on the Oval track.
However, Rohit & Paras Mhambrey had defended Ashwin’s omission, and admitted it was taken considering pitch and team combination. As far as the match is concerned, Australia are in the driver’s seat with 327 runs on board.
“It is always a very difficult decision to drop a champion bowler like him. Looking at the conditions in the morning we thought an additional seamer would be beneficial. It has also worked in the past for us. Seamers have done well out here for us. You can always look back and say that additional spinner would have been beneficial but we took the call looking at the conditions, “ Paras Mhambrey said in a post-match press conference.
Travis Head is going strong on 145, and Smith is unbeaten on 95. Australia would be hoping the duo adds misery on the Indians on day two of the WTC Final Test.
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