India vs Australia: “Rohit Sharma’s dismissal takes out that glimmer of hope,” says Sanjay Manjrekar

India vs Australia: “Rohit Sharma’s dismissal takes out that glimmer of hope,” says Sanjay Manjrekar
Rohit Sharma 1
Rohit Sharma

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar said that there was some hope for India to chase down the 407-run target set by Australia in the third Test against Australia in Sydney. However, according to the commentator with opener Rohit Sharma‘s dismissal that “glimmer of hope” has been exhausted.

Rohit Sharma was looking in excellent form and stitched a 71-run partnership with his opening partner Shubman Gill. Gill was the first one to depart but Sharma continued displaying his class. He smashed a fifty and it looked like India would end the Day 4 with 9 wickets in hand. Unfortunately, the 33-year-old was dismissed just then. The batter pulled a short delivery from Pat Cummins but was eventually caught by Mitchell Starc at the boundary rope.

Sanjay Manjrekar said there was some hope for India to win the third Test but with Rohit Sharma’s dismissal that hope is lost. He added that the onus was on Sharma in captain Virat Kohli’s absence.

“With Rohit Sharma around, there was the slightest possibility of India getting to the target. With Virat Kohli not there, the onus was on Rohit Sharma. So that (Wicket) takes out the little hope of winning the game. If Virat Kohli were there, maybe Australians would have declared 30-40 runs later. Rohit Sharma’s dismissal takes out that glimmer of hope,” he told Sony Sports Network.

“We have got two very easy on the eye opening batsmen”

Rohit Sharma 3
Rohit Sharma

Sanjay Manjrekar further said that India had found a good opening pair. He praised Shubnam Gill who scored 31 in the 2nd innings. He said that Gill can be positive in defence also.

“Yes (India have found a good opening pair in Tests), we have got two very easy on the eye opening batsmen. Rohit Sharma showed good temperament. When the ball starts swinging in England, what he will do, we will come to that on another day. With Shubman Gill, we saw another trait of him, the defensive block, he can do that as well with a lot of calmness. He can be positive in defence also. It was a very good opening partnership. Unfortunately, India lost both their opening batsmen,” Manjrekar said.

The third Test is crucial in the four-match series as the two sides are currently tied 1-1.

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