I am absolutely appalled by the way the Indian media, along with our so-called pundits have time and again criticised Rohit Sharma for his batting failures. Why is he the only one who has been constantly singled out as the reason behind Team India’s recently adopted rotation policy in Australia? Was it just because our captain cool said it was necessary for Rohit to get a few games in the initial stages of this tri-series? I strongly disagree.
Rohit has worked his way into this star-studded Indian line-up and he deserves to be in the playing eleven. Two-time Man-of-the-Series in 2011, both against the West Indies; Rohit has steered the Indian team to crucial victories when most seniors were rested, including Dhoni. He did this when all others failed, not to forget the stand-in captain, Suresh Raina. The statistics that popped up on the television screen this morning show exactly why he should not be made the scapegoat; as if denying him a Test debut wasn’t enough already when the team went through a series of whitewashes. For the first time ever, I agreed with Ravi Shastri, when he mentioned how Rohit automatically qualifies to play in the side ahead of the CSK lad. Frankly, Raina has not been at his best off late, but is yet considered to be an important aspect of this one-day outfit. With all due respect to his fielding skills and keeping in mind his batting position, I would still give him the benefit of doubt. But if the rotation policy has been devised ONLY to give Rohit a chance, this does not seem fair, in my opinion. The idea behind this strategy was to “rest” seniors, but why pick on Rohit as the reason? Is it not possible to rest Raina for a game or two, and go ahead with all three openers?
Cricket is a cruel game; you never know when the axe is on you! Harbhajan Singh can probably describe this feeling better. It is sad to see how Rohit’s talent has been ignored all the time. Not giving him credit where it’s due, denying him a Test opportunity, and oh, I must not forget to mention how he wasn’t a part of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning squad. Yes, he has been inconsistent at times, but every cricketer has gone through a bad patch in his career at some point. What's the whole fuss about Rohit Sharma's form? Has he NEVER scored runs for India when the team was in dire need? Or maybe Dhoni is just too fond of his CSK teammate, eh?
And before anyone asks me, (Yes! I am obsessed with Rohit Sharma)...
That guy has got class. Probably hasn't helped his own case in the way that he has got out so many times. He has this lazy elegance about him which is great to watch. But it looks far worse when he gets out to airy drives.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Raina being given such a long rope, time and again is annoying. But its upto Rohit to shut the door on him.. gotta carry on the good work he did in the Caribbean
Agree to a few things that are said in the blog. As the word comes out, RS is not a natural selection in the playing XI but is made to fit into by the so-called rotation. Now the Q is why Sharma and not Raina? Probably becoz Raina cozies himself in one of the soft-corners of MSD's heart and it is well-known that he doesn't let go off his favorites easily. Remember Jadeja being played in every game when he was given his first break despite his failures to impress? But statistically as well, apart from the two series against West Indies, away and home, in which Sharma really shone out, Raina has done a pretty decent job and thus, it is only fair that he be given a good run before being replaced by someone who is banging the doors of the selectors, the coach and the skipper for attention with a tree-trunk!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I believe that RS is tremendously talented but needs proper grooming to cement his place in the side. To be candor, his fight for a place should not be with a Raina or any other player but with himself. If he shows that kind of consistency that has seen the rise of Kohli then his place is automatically guaranteed but if he throws away opportunities presented to him, like in this series - today's game included, he isn't showing that coherence which is needed with his flamboyance. The problem will compound when Yuvi makes his way back.
To cut it really short - RS has to grab every opportunity that comes his way and bat more responsibly - not saying that he has done much wrong of late - but he has to exceed expectations just as we have seen with Kohli. Then, his place is automatically guaranteed and no Raina, no MSD can make him warm the bench. My opinion, difference of opinion is welcome :)
Couldn't agree more with both of you. My problem was just that it was wrong to make him the scapegoat, saying that the rotation policy was devised to fit him in the team..
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