Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli registered single-digit scores in the run chase on Day 5 of 340 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). As India were 33 for 3 wickets after the first session, former India head coach Ravi Shastri was asked by fellow commentator Mark Nicholas whether time has come for them to retire. Shastri feels that a call on Rohit will be taken after the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 whereas Kohli can play for next few years.
“I think Virat will play for some time. Forget the way he got out, or whatever. I think he'll play for another three or four years. As far as Rohit is concerned, it's a call. At the top of the order, you know, just feel the footwork isn't the same. He's probably at times, late in meeting the ball so it's his call at the end of the series,” Shastri said on Star Sports.
"But, having said, this Australian team want it badly. The captain wants it badly. The determination in his eyes was evident even when he was batting yesterday. He was not going to give it away," he added.
Rohit was dismissed by Australian captain Pat Cummins. He went for a flick shot and the leading edge went to gully fielder Mitchell Marsh. This is the sixth time Cummins dismissed him as captain in Test cricket. Rohit scored nine runs from 40 balls.
Shastri also explained how Rohit has been outfoxed by the bowler sof late. He also said that this is the best he has seen Australia bowl in one spell.
"This is the mode of dismissal. Rohit Sharma, at his best, that front foot would be closer to the pitch of the ball. There’s a trigger movement and then the front foot stays planted. So the bat goes at the ball, so you are playing away from the body," Shastri explained.
"They have bowled well at him. You can say ‘try and attack the bowling’. But, they gave you nothing. This is the best I think Australia have bowled in one spell as a unit," he added.
The veteran batter has scored just 31 runs from five innings on the tour. In the current 2024-25 season, starting with the home series against Bangladesh, the 37-year-old has scored just one half-century.