IND vs SA: "Indian Team Management Is Backing Rohit Sharma..."-Batting Coach

Kagiso Rabada was at his destructive best taking a fifer on the very first day of the Test. Rabada’s first victim was the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. The first Test between India and South Africa commenced on December 26 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. South Africa won the toss and chose to field on a green track with a lot of help from the bowlers. Rohit Sharma got out after scoring just five runs, giving an easy catch to the deep fine leg while trying the pull shot.

Rohit Sharma has a terrible record in South Africa in Tests. He has scored only 128 runs in five Test matches without a single fifty. He has an average of 14.22 in Tests on the South African soil. He is considered one of the best pullers of the ball but every once in a while he gets out in the same fashion. Rohit’s favorite shot has been his weakness quite a few times.

Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour has backed Rohit Sharma after he failed in the first innings. Vikram reckons the pull shot is Rohit Sharma’s shot and sometimes he gets it off and sometimes he doesn’t. He affirmed that the team management is backing Rohit Sharma and his style of play. Rohit Sharma has been dismissed by Kagiso Rabada six times in Test cricket. Only Nathan Lyon has dismissed him more times (9 times).

Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour said, “Pull shot is the shot Rohit has scored lots of runs, he believes in – this is his shot, some days it will come off, some days it won’t – another day, he will hit a six & we have heard people say he is the best puller, we are okay, management is backing him”.

Indian batting coach said “Pull shot is the shot Rohit has scored lots of runs, he believes in – this is his shot, some days it will come off, some days it won’t – another day, he will hit a six & we have heard people say he is the best puller, we are okay, management is backing… pic.twitter.com/jxcO3FfUd3

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 26, 2023

Rohit Sharma’s Dismissal Led To A Top Order Collapse

After Rohit Sharma was dismissed on five, Yashasvi Jaiswal went for 17 followed by Shubman Gill on just two. India was 24/3 when Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer had a partnership, stitching up a partnership of 88 runs for the fourth wicket. Shreyas Iyer departed just after lunch for 31 followed by Kohli for 38. India finished the day on 208/8 with KL Rahul standing tall on 70 alongside Mohammed Siraj.

India has never won a Test series in South Africa and they have a good chance of winning their first-ever under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. The South African team is lacking the experience and ability of past and India can look to take advantage of that and win the two-match series. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will be sharing the new ball for India and they will look forward to taking some early wickets when South Africa comes onto bat.

The first day was rain-affected with around 21 overs lost due to rain. However, India will be looking to make the most of the second day in terms of batting. With only two wickets left in hand, If India crosses the 250-run mark then it will be a huge relief for Rohit Sharma and Co. coming out to bowl.