"Wasn't the best way to defend that ball" - Dinesh Karthik reflects on Rohit Sharma's dismissal on Day 1 of IND vs NZ 2024 2nd Test
Former India keeper-batter Dinesh Karthik reckons that Rohit Sharma got out to a standard delivery against Tim Southee on Day 1 of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune on Thursday, October 25. According to Karthik, Rohit's poor record against Southee in international cricket may have also contributed to his tame dismissal on the opening day of the Pune Test.
After India bowled out New Zealand for 259 in 79.1 overs, they were hoping for a steady start with the bat. However, Indian captain Rohit's poor form continued as he was bowled for a nine-ball duck. The right-handed batter was squared up by a good length delivery that seamed away after pitching.
During a discussion with Cricbuzz, Karthik commented that Rohit was probably affected by Southee's success against him and made the ball look a lot more dangerous than it actually was. He stated:
"The ball was swinging a bit and Southee has had his number quite a few times. If you want me to get into stats, 14 times he has dismissed him in international cricket. He probably has an edge over Rohit a little bit. Hence, he is aware that he is the bowler that Rohit doesn't fancy as much, so the batter was just taking his time. He came out defensive.
"That was a stock, standard ball for Southee. There was nothing great about it. Yes, it swung a little bit from the stumps, but that's what good international bowlers do. Rohit got out to a ball which he shouldn't have. It might look good on screen. He played the ball rather badly. The way he defended wasn't the best way to defend that ball," Karthik concluded.
India went to stumps on Day 1 of the Pune Test at 16-1. At the close of play, Shubman Gill was unbeaten on 10 and Yashasvi Jaiswal on six.
Rohit Sharma's lean patch in Test cricket
Indian captain Rohit hit 103 in the fifth Test against England in Dharamsala in March 2024 as the hosts hammered the visitors by an innings and 64 runs. However, he has been out of sorts in the red-ball format after that.
The 37-year-old was dismissed for six and five in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai and registered scores of 23 and eight in Kanpur. In the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, he was out for two before contributing a swift 52 in the second innings.