Skipper Rohit Sharma has to lead with flair in fourth Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium
For all his rhetoric, Rohit has to face criticism, as that is what leaders have to do in their daily job. Non performance cannot be pardoned.
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Rohit Sharma
The equation is simple for Team India, win the fourth Test of the BGT Series in Ahmedabad and walk into the ICC World Test Championship final. Sounds simple? It was like that in the first part of the series, where Rohit Sharma and his peripatetic travellers looked good. All of a sudden, there was a change in the script in Indore. Not only did the Aussies under Steve Smith enjoy the local “poha” in the city, they also liked the dust bowl and beat India in the third Test.
All views have been heard. All sound bytes have hyped up the finale, which gets even more enchanting with the presence of the two Prime Ministers from India and Australia — Narendra Modi and Anthony Albanese. The high profile visit of the two leaders should keep Rohit Sharma and his teammates on their toes. Criticism has been copious, for the loss in Indore was pathetic. It showed lack of spine and lack of character.
Rahul Dravid has spoken about how pitches at home are prepared which suit the Indians. Well, what the doctor ordered — Rohit Sharma — was the wrong recipe. It’s a shootout, win the fourth Test and make the grade for the ICC Test finals. All of a sudden, it looks so hard, at home. Did not Team India produce wonders in Australia in 2021, did not India overcome the odds. All this is being talked of again, as no Indian wants to see India lose at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
If report cards are read out, the Indians have flopped. It is a bit like semester grades, good in the first two Tests for a few players, then a dip in the third Test. Nathan Lyon and his two young spinners who he is grooming, not literally, though, Todd Murphy and Matthew Kuhnemann came here as students. They have now mastered the subject called spin bowling.
More than cricket, one needs to see leadership skills of Rohit Sharma blossom
India, of course, have forgotten how to play spin. They are now in a spin, literally. To come out of it, India needs discipline, dedication and a dashing display. An array of stars are there who can bat and bowl, on paper. Getting to fire is the big deal. For all his rhetoric, Rohit has to face criticism, as that is what leaders have to do in their daily job. Non performance cannot be pardoned. He knows it. There will be none to save him, not even the former greats on air with the mike in hand.
Compare and contrast the two situations. Before the Indore Test, Pat Cummins had to fly back. Steve Smith wore the captain’s cap and led astutely. Rohit has to do exactly that, put pressure on the Aussies, bat himself and score and get the team to execute the plan. If not, he will come in for criticism. To mention which Indian batters failed, which batters forgot how to play spin bowling and how the bowlers were club class would be banal.
More than cricket, one needs to see leadership skills of Rohit blossom, just like the Holi colours. There cannot be gloom in such an atmosphere in the city of Ahmedabad which has been decked up for the fourth Test. If India lose the Test, then their path to the ICC Test finals will depend on the outcome of the series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Why let it get to such a stage. Plan and execute the win in Ahmedabad, conditions are as per India’s requirements.
If this does not happen, people will lose faith in Rohit the leader. As it is, he is under pressure. T20 captaincy has slipped out of his hands, in ODIs he will be the leader for the ICC World Cup later this year. This is Test cricket, pure and pristine. Now, Rohit Sharma needs to make it purposeful at the Narendra Modi Stadium, a lovely arena, starting Thursday.
In case you missed:
Nathan Lyon expects a “bloody loud” fourth Test in Ahmedabad
BCCI may challenge ICC’s “poor” rating for the Indore pitch
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