5 features of Rohit Sharma School of Nonsensical Captaincy

Yet another defeat! Just when it seemed that Mumbai Indians were finding their feet at the Wankhede, their home ground, they were totally outclassed by a clinical Chennai Super Kings outfit. Rohit Sharma, the Mumbai skipper, was hailed by one and all for his proactive and shrewd captaincy in the previous season. This season, however, has turned out to be a different story altogether. In yesterday’s game against CSK, it was the shoddy decision-making skills from the skipper and, to an extent, the team think tank that cost them the game, more than anything else. Let’s have a look at a few blunders of his that didn’t augur well for his side.  

#1 The batting order enigma

Lendl Simmons shouldn’t have been picked as a replacement for the injured Jalaj Saxena in the first place. Averaging 23.18 in Twenty20 matches before yesterday’s game, Simmons’ strike-rate stands at an ordinary 109. These numbers don’t inspire enough confidence to overlook the likes of Martin Guptill and Luke Ronchi, who were available in the same price bracket (below Rs. 90,00,000).

That said, in the post-match interview, Rohit talked about his will to anchor the innings batting at No. 4. In the T20 format, how can you be anchoring the innings batting at No. 4? I believe it is a slot that should be occupied by a batsman who can explode at will, someone like Kieron Pollard.

Coming in to bat during the 12th over with the score standing at 78-2, Rohit scored a run-a-ball knock of 19 in a bid to anchor the innings till the end. He could manage just one boundary during his stay at the crease, which lasted till the 18th over. In that case, what should we make of the run-a-ball knock of 38 from Simmons, opening the innings?

Just imagine what would have been the outcome had Pollard come in to bat in the 12th over. History stands testimony to the fact that the West Indian big hitter tends to be at his best when provided with time to get his eye in. This makes for a case for Rohit to open, thereby enabling Pollard to bat no lower than No. 4.

Delhi Daredevils are paying the price for a very similar tactical mess. And Mumbai, so far, have been intent on following suit.