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Veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara believes that Rohit Sharma's move to number six has greatly impacted his recent slump during the current series against Australia. Notably, on Day 4 of the third Test in Brisbane, Rohit was removed for 10 (27), and again, he failed to make an impression with the bat. Where the Indian captain has been struggling, KL Rahul has been leading the charge of the Indian batting line-up in the ongoing series. He is India's highest run-scorer with 231 runs and second-highest overall after Travis Head.
Cheteshwar Pujara on Rohit Sharma
The Australia skipper bowled a good length delivery to find his outside edge after unsettling his opposing number with a bouncer. Rohit had to return to the pavilion at a low score as a result of continuing his dismal series performance. In his analysis of Rohit is dismissal, Cheteshwar Pujara stated that the India captain should have defended the ball rather than chasing it because it was not a length to drive.
"It wasn't a length where you can drive. We have seen that even a fuller length ball, it's hard to drive. He, kind of tried to punch that ball. He should have defended that ball, allowed the ball to come to him rather than going for that ball. And I think the tough part is he hasn't been, amongst runs, and, that's where the pressure is," said Pujara on Star Sports.
Pujara added that his decision to push himself to number 6 in order to allow KL Rahul to open could possibly have played a significant role in his failure.
"He has been opening the innings, now he's batting at number 6. That is for the team, but I still feel that when you are so much used to opening the innings and when you have to wait, then you put yourself in that doubt. I mean, it doesn't help you when you're opening innings and you suddenly start batting at number 6. So that you don't get that momentum either," he added.
India on Day 4
Cummins got rid of Rohit for the sixth time in 12 innings. His dismissal was followed by a 67-run partnership between KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja that steadied the Indian innings. Rahul who was dropped off a sitter on the first ball of the day, made the most of his reprieve from Steve Smith.
With the aid of several stunning shots, he reached 84, but Smith's amazing catch diving to his right at first slip prevented him from reaching a well-earned hundred. However, Jadeja, who was still undefeated at 41, and Nitish Kumar Reddy (7*) brought India to lunch at 167/6, 278 runs behind Australia.
