"It used to happen with David Gower all the time"- Sunil Gavaskar dismisses misinterpretation on Rohit Sharma's 'casual' batting after NZ defeat
Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar dismissed the narrative on skipper Rohit Sharma being casual with the bat after the side's stunning home Test series defeat to New Zealand. Team India lost their proud home record in Tests with their first series defeat since 2012-13, including suffering a 0-3 whitewash for the first time at home in history.
Adding to India's woes has been Rohit's dismal batting form in Tests recently with the champion batter averaging under 14 in his last five Test matches - all at home. Apart from the string of low scores, the 37-year-old has been guilty of throwing his wicket away far too often in the name of 'intent', much to the disappointment of fans.
Speaking to the Indian Express following the shocking series defeat, Gavaskar used the example of former English batter David Gower to dismiss the notion of Rohit being care-free with the bat.
"I think, with somebody who has got time to play the shots like he has and the elegance he has, people generally tend to misinterpret that (as casual). It used to happen with David Gower all the time. Lovely, easy on the eye batsman. So, every time he got out, they would say, ‘oh, he doesn’t bother’," said Gavaskar.
He added:
"They all care about their wicket. They all want to score as many runs as possible. It’s just that their batting looks so simple and their dismissals also therefore look that way. But it’s just a natural way for them. Can’t point fingers."
Gower is widely regarded as one of the greatest Test batters in cricket history with over 8,000 runs at an average of 44.25, including 18 centuries.
"Even the best of players go through bad patches" - Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar defended Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for their forgettable run with the bat in the New Zealand series. He felt even the best of batters have lean phases and highlighted the challenging pitches in all three Tests as a key reason behind their low scores.
"Even the best of players go through bad patches. These weren’t easy pitches to bat on in all three matches. Except, perhaps, the second innings in Bengaluru. Sometimes you need a bit of luck… like you make the first mistake and the ball goes only near the stump. Somebody drops a catch, a close LBW goes in your favor," said Gavaskar.
He added:
"All these things can happen. But when going through a bad patch, everything goes against you. Somebody takes a brilliant catch, you get a great delivery. I won’t read too much into it."
While Rohit averaged 15.16 in the three New Zealand Tests, Kohli averaged 15.50, with the duo combining to score only two half-centuries in 12 innings.