Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has put all the blame on Rohit Sharma for India’s 184-run defeat in the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne.
Rohit Sharma has decided to return to his familiar opening position in the fourth Test against Australia after struggling to find form at number six in the second and third Tests of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Basit Ali criticizes Rohit Sharma’s bad decisions after Australia win MCG Test
But the change did not bring the result he expected. Instead, it disrupted India’s batting order and, according to Basit Ali, affected their confidence and ultimately led to the defeat at the MCG.
Also Read: ‘Make tough decisions’: Rohit Sharma says to drop himself and Virat Kohli for Sydney Test
Rohit was dismissed by Pat Cummins for just 3 and 9 runs in both the innings of the last Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The Indian skipper has so far scored a disappointing 31 from five overs at an average of 6.20 in the ongoing BGT 2024-25.
This is the lowest average for captains visiting Australia. If he misses the upcoming fifth and final Test against Australia, scheduled to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 3, 2025, it will set a new low, worse than former West Indies captain Courtney Walsh’s average. can do 7.75.
Basit Ali blames Rohit Sharma for India’s 184-run defeat in the Boxing Day Test.
Meanwhile, Basit Ali questioned whether India were overconfident after winning the first Test in Perth. The former Pakistan cricketer also slammed Rohit Sharma, saying that Team India had shaken their confidence in the fourth Test against Australia at the MCG.
The former Pakistan selector highlighted how pressure was put on the well-rounded KL Rahul to get him out of the order, with poor figures of 24 and 0 during India’s 184-run defeat on Boxing Day. Test against Australia in Melbourne.
Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel: “Did India get overconfident after winning the first Test (in Perth)? Ek faisla – ke nahi, mai open karunga. Rohit is out of form and the scorer runs out, (KL) Rahul, you put him under pressure too. Aapne is a confidence breaker for the team (You broke the team’s confidence).
He further pointed out that Shubman Gill, who was dropped for Washington Sundar, should have played in the Boxing Day Test even if he scored zero in both innings against Australia. Basit added, “But because of Rohit’s position, you have messed up the entire team.”
Basit Ali wants Jasprit Bumrah to replace Rohit Sharma as India’s Test captain
Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on Rohit Sharma and the former Pakistan cricketer believes it is time for a change in leadership. In a bold statement, Basit Ali suggested that Rohit should step down as captain, while Jasprit Bumrah will lead India in the final Test.
Basit remarked, “I think the time has come for Rohit to step down; (Jasprit) Bumrah should be the captain for the last Test. You have served India a lot, but your body is not supporting you now.”
Basit was also disappointed with Gautam Gambhir’s leadership, saying simply, “Mera khayal hai Dravid ki yaad aayegi (I think the former coach will miss Rahul Dravid)”.
