Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar mentioned that Rohit Sharma’s favorite shot in limited-overs cricket has caused him trouble in Test matches. In the Boxing Day Test against South Africa, Rohit Sharma got out while attempting a pull shot on the first day at SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion.
Rohit Sharma faced an early exit in the Freedom Test series as fast bowler Kagiso Rabada claimed his wicket for the 13th time in international cricket. Rohit was challenged by a short delivery, attempting a pull shot that ended up in the hands of Nandre Burger at deep fine leg, resulting in his dismissal.
In his last 20 Test innings away from home (all since 2021), Rohit Sharma has been dismissed playing the pull/hook shot 7 times.#SAvIND
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) December 26, 2023
Sanjay Manjrekar Points Out Vulnerability in Rohit Sharma’s Pull Shot in Test Cricket
At Lunch on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa, Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out that Rohit Sharma’s preferred shot in limited-overs cricket has been a challenge for him in Test matches. Rohit managed to score 5 runs off 14 deliveries, including a single boundary, before being dismissed in the 5th over. Manjrekar said:
“It’s interesting that his go to shot, the one shot that he plays in white-ball cricket that puts the opposition on the back foot, has been Rohit Sharma’s nemesis in Test cricket. In the last two years, he’s been out seven times playing the pull shot. But the bowler deserves this as it was a great delivery.”
After Rohit Sharma’s dismissal, India faced a flurry of wickets, losing young batters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill in quick succession. Jaiswal contributed 17 runs off 37 balls but was caught behind off a delivery from Nandre Burger in the 10th over.
Shortly after Jaiswal’s dismissal, Shubman Gill also fell victim to Nandre Burger, nicking a ball down the leg side and getting caught behind by the wicket-keeper. Gill managed only 2 runs off 12 deliveries. Despite these setbacks, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer took charge, forming a solid partnership to rebuild India’s innings.
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