“Rohit Sharma should put the pull shot in cold storage till he gets to 80,90, 100,” – Sunil Gavaskar

“Rohit Sharma should put the pull shot in cold storage till he gets to 80,90, 100,” – Sunil Gavaskar

The Indian skipper Rohit Sharma loves to play the pull shot, and it has also proved successful for him more often than not. However, the same shot has proved to be his undoing in recent times, especially in Test cricket. It looks like the pace bowlers will get the better of him with the short ball.

During the first innings of the Mohali Test, the same thing happened against Sri Lanka, and Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar believes Rohit Sharma should not play more such shots early in his innings. When Rohit looked good for 29 in the first hour of the contest, Lahiru Kumara’s extra pace caused him to fall.

Also Read | IPL 2022: Nitish Rana gets a new look ahead of the season

Kumara set off for a few runs while bouncing the 34-year-old, who failed to time his pull shot well and ended up in the deep. Rohit Sharma may want to reconsider playing his favourite shot now that bowlers are fancies dismissing him with the short delivery, says Gavaskar.

“He has got to think about it. You can argue that it is a productive shot but that is not the only shot. He has got so many others. Now every bowler who has a little bit of pace will fancy his chances against him saying, ‘I don’t mind going for a couple of sixes or boundaries but there will be an opportunity because he hits the ball in the air’,” he said while speaking to Star Sports.

The percentages have to be worked out, says Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar

According to Sunil Gavaskar, Rohit Sharma might have to hold off on playing the shot until he is settled in the middle. On many occasions, the Indian captain has been dismissed after he has started his innings by playing the pull shot.

“So he has got to work the percentages out. If he still thinks that the percentages are working in his favour, then go on playing but at the moment, they aren’t working in his favour. So maybe he should put it in cold storage till he gets to 80,90, 100,” Sunil Gavaskar added.

Also Read | Top 5 bowling spells by Sreesanth