Harbhajan Singh Critique Rohit Sharma Recent Form Amid India Struggles

Harbhajan Singh Critique Rohit Sharma Recent Form Amid India Struggles

Rohit Sharma’s current form has sparked debates in the cricketing world, with former cricketer Harbhajan Singh offering candid remarks about the Indian skipper. In the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy held in Adelaide, Rohit managed to score just nine runs across two innings. Australia’s dominant performance, powered by Travis Head’s remarkable century and effective bowling from Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, resulted in a 10-wicket victory, pushing Australia to the top of the WTC25 standings.

Rohit’s captaincy has also drawn scrutiny, especially after a decision to bat first under unfavorable conditions in Bengaluru during a prior Test against New Zealand. The move led to India’s lowest home total of 46 runs. This latest performance in Adelaide further heightened the pressure on the skipper.

Speaking to Star Sports, Harbhajan Singh emphasized the importance of runs in boosting a player’s confidence and decision-making. He expressed hope that Rohit would soon find form, stating that a captain performs better when contributing with the bat. “No matter how experienced a player is, concerns about performance always linger. Runs on the scoreboard not only uplift the individual but also translate into better leadership decisions,” he remarked.

In the Adelaide Test, India faced a tough time against the pink ball. After opting to bat, the team struggled against Starc’s lethal spell of 6/48. A brief partnership between KL Rahul (37) and Shubman Gill (31) and a fighting knock from Nitish Kumar Reddy (42) were the only bright spots in an otherwise disappointing innings, as India was bowled out for 180. Australia responded strongly, led by Head’s counter-attacking 140 off 141 balls. Contributions from Nathan McSweeney (39) and Marnus Labuschagne (64) helped Australia post 337, securing a commanding 157-run lead.

India’s bowlers put up a spirited effort, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj taking four wickets each, but their efforts couldn’t offset the batting collapse. In the second innings, India’s top and middle-order crumbled despite starts from Yashasvi Jaiswal (24) and Shubman Gill (28). Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli failed to make significant contributions, leaving India struggling at 128/5 by the end of the second day.

Rishabh Pant tried to counter-attack on the third day with a quick 28, but Australia’s bowling unit remained relentless. Cummins claimed a five-wicket haul, while Boland and Starc chipped in with crucial wickets, bundling India out for 175. This left Australia with a modest target of 19 runs, which they chased down effortlessly in just 3.2 overs.

Australia’s comprehensive win underscored their dominance in the series. For India, the focus shifts to finding solutions to their batting woes and ensuring their captain regains form. Harbhajan’s comments reflect a broader concern about the balance between individual performance and leadership responsibilities.

As the series progresses, the spotlight remains on Rohit Sharma, with expectations for him to lead by example and guide India to a stronger showing in the remaining matches.