"It was the effect of what had happened in the previous 6 overs" - Ajay Jadeja on Rohit Sharma's dismissal on Day 2 of IND vs NZ 2024 1st Test
Ajay Jadeja reckons Rohit Sharma's dismissal in India's first innings of the first Test against New Zealand wasn't because of an attacking mindset. He believes the Indian skipper intended to make the Kiwi bowlers deviate from the troubling line and lengths they had been bowling in the previous six overs.
Rohit scored two runs off 16 deliveries as India were bundled out for 46 after opting to bat first in Bengaluru on Thursday, October 17. New Zealand ended the second day at 180/3 in their first innings, with a lead of 134 runs heading into the third morning.
During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, Jadeja was asked about his thoughts on Rohit's dismissal.
"He tried to adopt a new approach based on the conditions. If you see the shot, it wasn't that he had an attacking mindset. The attacking move to go on the front foot was to try and make the bowler do something else," he responded.
"If you see only one ball, it seems like Rohit Sharma got out while attacking. However, I feel the reason for that attack was not the reaction to the ball, it was the effect of what had happened in the previous six overs, which he had played out," the former India opener added.
India's opening pair of Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal managed only nine runs in the first 6.2 overs of their innings. The Indian captain then danced down the track against Tim Southee, only to miss the ball and lose his stumps.
"It was in your mind that if you allow him to bowl at a spot, he will dismiss you some time or the other" - Ajay Jadeja on Rohit Sharma against Tim Southee
![Tim Southee dismissed Rohit Sharma for the 13th time in international cricket. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/1f3dd-17291743165767-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same discussion, Ajay Jadeja opined that Rohit Sharma was worried about falling prey to Tim Southee if he continued bowling the ideal line and length.
"It wasn't for that ball because he started walking well before the ball was released. According to me, the mindset looks attacking but this was done because it was in your mind that if you allow him to bowl at a spot, he will dismiss you some time or the other," he said.
The cricketer-turned-commentator added that Rohit's mindset was primarily responsible for his dismissal.
"So you had to attack him. So it's more about the mindset. Obviously, when you get out, a mistake will be seen somewhere or the other, either you will see a gap or you will be far from the ball," Jadeja observed.
India suffered a collapse after Rohit's dismissal and were bowled out for their lowest total in India. Only Rishabh Pant (20) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) scored more than four runs for the hosts.