'Why don’t you play natural game?': Ravi Shastri sends strong message to struggling Rohit Sharma

India's captain Rohit Sharma is arguably going through one of the toughest phases in his cricket career. After experiencing the highs of the T20 World Cup 2024, Rohit has struggled to score runs in Test cricket.

He had a disappointing home Test season and his poor form has continued in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy as well. At this stage of his career, the pressure is growing on the Indian captain to deliver. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri gave his opinion on Rohit's poor form while also praising KL Rahul's great run.

Shastri reckons that Rohit Sharma needs to be clear in his approach and needs to show intent to put the pressure back on Australia. The former India allrounder feels that is the only way how Rohit can survive in Test cricket.

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"He struck a purple patch" - Ravi Shastri on KL Rahul

While speaking on The ICC Review to the host Sanjana Ganesan, Ravi Shastri hailed KL Rahul's performances in this series. By calling his technique "faultless", Shastri was impressed with the way Rahul left the ball and was impressed by his confidence.

“I would have asked him (Rohit Sharma) to open in the last Test match but then the way (KL) has batted, I mean he was a joy to watch and the way he's batting, I believe he struck a purple patch. It could be a position he might just want to keep and enhance the way he's playing because his technique was faultless,” Shastri noted.

“The way he left the ball, the way he allowed the ball to come onto the bat, I mean some of his cover drives were as good as any played by anyone in world cricket at the moment. And so I think when there's that much confidence there, you know, let it be," he added.

KL Rahul top-scored for India in the last Test at Gabba with a fine 84 off 139 deliveries. He looked the most assured of all the Indian batters. Rahul is also the highest run-scorer for India in the first three Tests of the series with 235 runs at an average of 47.

Ravi Shastri backs Rohit Sharma to bat aggressively

Ravi Shastri then spoke about Rohit Sharma's chances of creating an impact in the remaining two Tests of the series. Shastri wants Rohit to be clear in his approach and play with an attacking mindset.

“I would like to see Rohit Sharma, his tactics change a bit because he can still be extremely dangerous at that number (six). I think he's got to be very clear in his mindset to go out there and take the attack to the opposition and not worry about anything else.”

“The last thing you want is him to be in two minds whether to defend or attack. In his case, it should be attack. He picks up length quickly, he should take the opposition on at that number," he explained.

"Because if he gets away in the first 10-15 minutes, in any way, he's not got past that 15-20 minutes, half an hour. So why don't you play a natural game, go and take the attack to the opposition and take it from there?" he argued.

Ravi Shastri wants Rohit Sharma to counter-attack

The former India allrounder believes that Rohit Sharma must play a counter-attacking role with the bat and needs to show intent instead of hanging back. He backed the Indian skipper to play his shots on the bouncy Australian pitches.

“The best No. 6s in the world are the guys who know how to have the ability to counter-attack. They read the situation well. Yes, if a lot of wickets have fallen, maybe for a little while," Shastri said.

"You might have to be circumspect, but the intent has to be far sooner than later. Especially when you have that kind of ability and especially when you open the batting for India and you have all the shots for Australian conditions,” he added.

Rohit Sharma missed the opening Test of the series due to the birth of his second child but played the second and third Tests of the series. He has scored 19 runs in two Tests so far at an average of 6.33.

With Ravichandran Ashwin having already retired, the pressure is increasing on Rohit to prove his worth in Test cricket. Being a senior player of the team, he will be aiming to contribute to the team's cause.