Matthew Hayden and Sanjay Manjrekar questioned Rohit Sharma’s approach and India’s complacency after they were shot out for 109 in the first innings of the Indore Test against Australia.
Already 2-0 up in the four-match series, and having retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India flew to Indore with the aim of wrapping up their 16th successive Test series win at home. However, on a rank turner, the batters failed to show up, with only two players crossing 20.
The first over of the day gave a strong indication of what was to follow for India: Skipper Rohit Sharma got two lives after Australia first failed to review an edge and then did not go upstairs for an lbw appeal. Rohit would have been dismissed on both occasions, but he did not survive much longer, as he was stumped for 12 after dancing down the track against a ball that turned away by Matt Kuhnemann. Sunil Gavaskar commentated that the dismissal was a result of the batter “losing his patience”.
Rohit, who had scored 120, 31 and 32 in the first two Tests, was criticised by Matthew Hayden during the innings break on Star Sports 1, with the former Australia opener saying there were hints of arrogance in his batting following India’s dominance in the first half of the series.
“I think there are some forgettable shots, no doubt about it,” Hayden said. “Rohit Sharma – and I’ve always said this about Test match cricket – the captain leads from the front. So that dismissal is something he will look back and think – Maybe I was a little lazy, maybe I was a little apprehensive.
“Winning the toss, you want to make a big impression, want to enforce that dominance onto Australia, who are depleted. They don’t have their captain, they don’t have David Warner. Lots to lose for them, including not being in that Test Championship [final]. I think [there was] maybe a little bit of complacency mixed with a little bit of arrogancy as well.”
Sanjay Manjrekar agreed with Hayden, saying Rohit batted with the “hangover of the earlier two Tests.”
“Spot on. A lot of that was seen in the way Rohit Sharma played,” Manjrekar said. “He was out twice – the reviews weren’t taken – and then he was out the third time. So it was a Rohit Sharma who came out with the hangover of the earlier two Test matches’ dominance. He didn’t start from ball one. There was a bit of arrogance there.”
Hayden also added that India’s complacency in assuming they’d dominate the day and the Test also played a part in their poor showing. “Just that [thought of], “We’re Team India, we’re just gonna turn up here today. It’s our conditions, we’ve won the toss and we’re going to own the day and own the Test match.”
Australia ended the first day with a lead of 47 runs, their score being 156-4.
