If Rohit doesn’t make runs in the second innings, I'd be saying 'thank you for your service’: Mark Waugh
Rohit scored only 22 runs so far in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
India captain Rohit Sharma has had a tough time with the bat in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He has made only 22 runs so far in the series and his captaincy has also been questioned. So much so, that there have been talks of him getting sacked if the visitors fail to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His batting performance didn’t help either and as per former Australia cricketer Mark Waugh, if the 37-year-old fails to contribute in the second innings of the Melbourne Test, he should hang up his Test boots.
He highlighted Rohit’s recent form with the bat, in which, he averaged 11 in the last 14 innings. He added that all great players go through this phase and the time unfortunately comes for everyone to retire.
“If I was a selector now, it depends on what happens in the second innings, but if he doesn't make runs in the second innings and we go to Sydney in a crucial Test match, I'd be saying 'Rohit thank you for your service, you've been a great player, but we're going to bring in Jasprit Bumrah as captain for the SCG and that's the end of your career',” Waugh was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
“It'd be a very tough way for Rohit Sharma to go ... his last 14 innings' he's averaging 11, so the signs are there that he's past his best. It happens to all players. All great players come to an end at some stage,” he added.
The numbers don’t lie: Michael Hussey
Former cricketer Michael Hussey also believes that the time has come for Rohit to retire from Test cricket. The southpaw mentioned that his movement on the field wasn’t right and tactically, Rohit struggled to live up to the potential.
“I don't think you have to say 'where are you at?' You can see where he's at. The numbers don't lie. They've had a few tough wickets to bat on previous to this tour in India but you just see even his movement in the field (is not good). Even tactically he's been off the pace as well and he gets a used-by date, everyone does,” Hussey said.
“I think they've given him that leniency already because he's been a great player for India. At some stage that leniency has got to stop and it stops after this Test match unless he makes runs in the second innings,” he added.
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