Rohit Sharma.(Photo Source – Twitter/X)
Regular Captain of the Test side, Rohit Sharma, returned to action during the warm-up match between Prime Minister’s XI (PM’s XI) and Team India (IND) at the Manuka Oval in Canberra, on Sunday, December 1. The ‘Hitman’ missed the first Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25) in Perth, as he was on paternity leave. He joined the Indian squad in the middle of the encounter as Jasprit Bumrah led the side to a monumental 295-run win.
Indian fans were waiting to see how the 37-year-old would fare in his comeback game on Sunday. After the tourists bowled out the Jack Edward-led side for 240 in the 46-over-a-side contest, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul opened the batting. Rohit demoted himself to No. 3 in the batting order. He faced 11 balls and scored only three runs as the 19-year-old right-arm pacer, Charlie Anderson, got the better of him.
The youngster bowled a back-of-length delivery outside off-stump and Rohit tried to break the shackles with a booming drive. However, all he managed was an outside edge that was pouched safely by Oliver Davies at first slip. India’s move to send Rohit at No. 4 backfired miserably as the Mumbai batter would have wanted to spend some time in the middle against the pink ball. It is important to note that the second Test between India and Australia (AUS) will be a pink-ball affair, which will be played at the Adelaide Oval, beginning on Friday, December 6.
Also Check: Watch: Shubman Gill shows signs of recovery, scores fluent half-century versus Prime Minister’s XI
Meanwhile, India won the warm-up match against Prime Minister’s XI by six wickets as they chased down the 241-run target with consummate ease. Harshit Rana starred with the ball for India as he finished with figures of 4/44 in six overs. Sam Konstas slammed a blistering century (107) to lift the home side in the first innings. Shubman Gill scored a fluent half-century for India, while Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar made important contributions to take the visitors over the line.
Rohit Sharma’s batting woes continue
Rohit Sharma scored just 91 runs from six innings in the home Test series against New Zealand. The seasoned campaigner drew a lot of flak for his performances, especially after India were whitewashed 3-0 for the first time at home.
Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to Rohit Sharma’s dismal outing:
Rohit Sharma reminded the management that it is not right to change the winning combination💀 pic.twitter.com/EY8i6OoWqW
— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) December 1, 2024
Itna jhooth performance ke karan iska decline huva hai kl Rahul deserve karta tha bahot pahle se opning me aur rohit to bgt khelne tak ke layak nhi hai abhi bumrah hi sahi captan hona chahiye Rohit Sharma career khatam hai ab msd se bada kaptan abhi tak koi ni aaya ind me
— the atheist ⚛️🇮🇳 (@cricketkno51353) December 1, 2024
I don’t think Rohit Sharma will open in the second test match, Jaiswal and KL Rahul look good for the opening pair in the BGT series.
Rohit Sharma at 5th number in batting order is in a good position for team India.
— SujeetKr7482 (@Sujeet748251) December 1, 2024
if rohit sharma back in 2nd test as captain then result will be against India 1 to 3 as predicted by Australian
— Achyutananda Ray (@achyutanan65528) December 1, 2024
Virat Kohli is real selfless of cricket, He sacrifice his chance to young players to practice in his place,
While Rohit sharma, who’s we called him Selfless, he prefered playing himself instead of young player.
— 🇮🇳🐐 (@ProteinKohliii) December 1, 2024
Rohit sharma be like
Eat Five star do nothing 😂— Moij Gugarman (@gugarman_moij) December 1, 2024
Captain selfless Rohit Sharma got out so that bowler can get 1 wicket 🔥🔥
— Venom (@AnkitSi70755453) December 1, 2024
Bhai Rohit sharma PM XI mei bhi nhi chala yaar 😅
— Pranjal (@Pran297) December 1, 2024
Usual performance by rohit sharma
— HUMMER (@AnuragNandi9) December 1, 2024
Best batting performance for pm xi Rohit Sharma 3(11)
— RAHUL (@RAHUL115549) December 1, 2024
Rohit Sharma reminded the management that it is not right to change the winning combination💀 pic.twitter.com/WSafSJYTMC
— ر aya ن م i ر (@MirRayan18) December 1, 2024