Former India skipper and batting great Sunil Gavaskar is still not over Rohit Sharma's brigade's crashing defeat at the hands of Australia in the just-concluded World Test Championship (WTC) final at the Oval on June 11.
Gavaskar launched a scathing attack on specifically two of Indian top-order batters in Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara and slammed the duo for their poor shot selections. While chasing an uphill task of chasing 444-run target set by Australia, India found themselves at a commanding position of 91/1 and skipper Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara were hitting runs at a run-rate of over four-and-a-half. But just when things looked in control for India, Cummins handed the bowl to his prime spinner Nathan Lyon and as expected he delivered and provided Australia the much needed breakthrough and dismissed the dangerous looking Rohit for 43 off 60. Rohit, who was in full mood to take Australian bowlers to cleaners defended Lyon's first ball. He thought of making his intentions clear but found himself in double minded and tried sweeping Lyon's ball towards the boundary rope. Till then it was too late as the ball struck right into Rohit's pad which was in line of wicket as the Australian spinner succeeded in sending the Indian skipper to pavilion which left India reeling at 92/2.
Pujara too followed the suit and was sent packing by Pat Cummins in the following over after scoring 27 runs. India who were well in control at 91/1 suddenly found themselves lurching at 93/3.
Gavaskar comes down heavily on Rohit, Pujara
Meanwhile, batting great Sunil Gavaskar pulled no punches in blaming Rohit, Pujara for their bad shot selections at such crucial juncture of the WTC final match.
"For me, though the shot selection of the skipper Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara was the disappointing aspect of the Indian innings" Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-day.
The 73-year-old was surprised by the kind of shot Pujara played right after Rohit's dismissal.
"Why Pujara attempted a ramp shot is hard to understand for that is not a shot he employs regularly. To even try it two deliveries after Rohit was out was also questioning the thinking at the time. Pujara is known for his patience and willingness to take blows, but keep occupying the crease so why on earth did he look to play that shot when runs were not the need but preserving wickets was essential. Pressure can get a player to do strange things and that’s why Test cricket is the highest form of the game and the World Test Championship final, the ultimate Test match," Gavaskar concluded.
After Rohit and Pujara's dismissal, Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli took the onus to steady India's boat on Day 4 and did exactly till the close of Day 4's play. But things didn't pan out as per their plans on Day 5 rather went awry as the duo, on whom India's hopes were hinging, couldn't score big and crashed at the bigger stage as India lost seven wickets in a span of 70 runs and were handed a 209-run defeat to lose one more shot at the ICC trophy since 2013.
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