What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
Rohit Sharma’s exclusion from India’s SCG Test XI leads to poor batting performance in crucial match.
NEW DELHI: Rohit Sharma’s exclusion from India’s playing XI for the SCG Test has intensified scrutiny on the team’s batting performance, which continues to falter in challenging conditions.
Despite the intent to rejuvenate the lineup, the batting unit has once again failed to deliver in crucial moments, underscoring a persistent gap between India and its opponents on overseas tours.
On Day 1 of the fifth and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, India was bowled out for 185 runs.
ALSO READ: Gambhir says Rohit Sharma’s SCG test spot still uncertain
The innings was marked by a series of soft dismissals, with none of the top-order batsmen managing to reach fifty. KL Rahul (4), Yashasvi Jaiswal (10), and Shubman Gill (20) were dismissed before lunch, while Virat Kohli added just 17 runs to the total.
Rishabh Pant top-scored with a patient 40 off 98 balls, but his efforts were insufficient to stabilize the innings.
The Australian bowlers, particularly Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc, exploited the conditions effectively. Boland claimed 4 wickets for 31 runs, while Starc took 3 wickets for 49 runs. Their disciplined and accurate bowling dismantled the Indian batting lineup, highlighting the visitors’ struggles against quality seam and swing bowling.
ALSO READ: India vs Australia: Akash Deep set to miss SCG Test due to stiff back
The absence of Rohit Sharma, who was “rested” after failing to get past 10 runs in any of his five innings during the series, was a significant move.
This decision could spell the end of the 37-year-old’s 67-match Test career, as the SCG Test progresses all eyes will be on the Indian batsmen to step up big in the second innings.
