Rohit Sharma Needs To Rein On His Aggressive Instincts To Find Success In Overseas Test Cricket: Nick Knight

Former England opener-turned commentator Nick Knight has said that while Rohit Sharma doesn’t lack the skill or ability to counter overseas conditions as a Test match opener, he needs to address his aggressive instincts until he gets a substantial score on foreign soil.

Sharma was once again oozing class during his knock of 74-ball 44 in the first innings of the ongoing series-decider at the Gabba. He played plenty of sumptuous strokes during his knock but he once again failed to cash-in on his start and got dismissed in an attempt to hit Nathan Lyon across the line at deep midwicket.

This is the third time that Rohit Sharma has got out while trying to play an aggressive stroke this year. In the second innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sharma holed out at deep fine-leg in an attempt to pull Pat Cummins, immediately he had notched up a half-century.

Australia are on top in the deciding series! ??

After posting 369 first-inning runs, the hosts have taken two wickets leaving India at 62-2…

A BIG day three in store! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/X4yQvrXinv

— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 16, 2021

Following his latest dismissal, fans, as well as former cricketers including Sanjay Manjrekar and Sunil Gavaskar, laid into the stylish batsman, terming the dismissal as ‘inexcusable’

“Numbers are extraordinary. It’s not due to a lack of talent or ability or skill. Sometimes when you see a player of immense ability in Test cricket, it’s realizing moments in the game,” Nick Knight said on Sony Sports Network.

“So when Rohit is on top of his game and confident and scoring runs in unfamiliar conditions, I would say he would pull out of that (shot) or play for one by knocking it. But because he is uncomfortable, he is out of his comfort zone, he hasn’t had success away from home in Test match cricket,” he added. ”He is still trying to find a way. His natural way is to be aggressive. But sometimes, for him to be really really good in Test match cricket away from home, he might just have to rein that in,” Knight said.

“Okay Till I get that big hundred, till I get that confidence away from home, I may just have to go back to the other. Instead of instinct telling me to go out and attack,” he added. ”He is one of the best one-day cricketers we have seen, he is very comfortable at home Tests. So make that adjustment mentally, nothing technical, but I would love to see him find success. I know I am making it sound so easy but it’s not,” he said.

Knight further said that he hopes India persists with Rohit Sharma at the top of the order in Test cricket.

Also Read: I Have No Regret Of Playing That Shot Off Nathan Lyon: Rohit Sharma