India’s loss to Australia in the Boxing Day Test has raised many questions for them. The men in blue are under a lot of pressure as they need to win to finish the next match series on equal terms.
However, shock news It emerges regarding three players who came under heavy criticism after India’s defeat in Melbourne. The three players are Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant.
All these players did not perform so well in the match and therefore faced criticism from all corners. While the poor form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continued, Rishabh Pant was playing poor shots when his team needed him the most.
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Virat Kohli didn’t say anything to Rohit Sharma: Reports
According to Rohit Jugla of RevSportz, nothing has been said about the team’s two best senior players – Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. This included poor batting by Rohit and Kohli when the entire team was criticized for their poor batting selection in the match.
There are talks of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring after their recent form. However, including the Indian team management Gautam Gambhir did not say anything to this two-year-old player.
Rohit Sharma was out in the second innings when he tried to play a weak shot which was unnecessary at that stage. Rohit looked solid till then but tried to play an aggressive shot and was caught by Mitchell Marsh for just 9 for 40 deliveries.
On the other hand, Virat Kohli has been dismissed in a typical way throughout his career. The 36-year-old tried to play a covered drive from left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc but was caught by Usman Khawaja at first slip. Kohli was dismissed for just 5 off 29 balls.
Rishabh Pant faces anger over India’s loss: Reports
The report also claims that wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was heavily criticized by the team management and was angered by India’s defeat. Pant was criticized for his poor batting selection when the team needed him the most.
Rishabh Pant was also criticized outside the Indian dressing room. A no. Former cricketers blamed the timing of his shot selection and blamed him for the defeat. But some former cricketers like it Michael Hussey turned out in his favor and supported his ability to win games for his team in any situation.
Pant was criticized to such an extent that there were talks to release him. However, this is unlikely to happen as he has been India’s best player in Tests for some time.
Early dismissal of Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant tried to play a big shot with part-timer Travis Head but was caught in the deep by Mitchell Marsh. He had played a defensive style of cricket so far but looked solid at the same time. Pant and Jaiswal built a strong and patient partnership as India did not lose a wicket in the second session.
However, he saw a semi-follower and couldn’t stop himself from a big hit. Big boundaries at the MCG also played a part in his dismissal as he was dismissed for 30 off 104 balls.
His wicket was a turning point as it opened the floodgates for Australia. The hosts saw the opportunity and attacked the Indians with some impressive bowling. India lost the match by losing seven wickets in the final session.