Rohit Sharma struggles against left-arm seamer Trent Boult once again

Indian opener, Rohit Sharma fell to Trent Boult in the first ODI between India and New Zealand, raising questions on the ability of Indian batsmen to counter left-arm pacers once again. Boult struck early in the innings by picking up both the openers, Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. Sharma could only score 20 runs off 18 balls, while Dhawan departed on 9(12).

The pitch at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on a sultry day offered a steady, good bounce to aid the bowling style of both the Kiwi pacers, Boult and Tim Southee. It was in the sixth over of the Indian innings that Sharma fell prey to a deceptive delivery by Boult, giving up his wicket in the proceedings. Boult, on his part, carried on in the same strain as his splendid streak of 5 wickets for 38 runs in the warm-up match against the Board Presidents XI.

Left-arm pace battery troubles Rohit Sharma once again

Batting first, the Indian openers started off steadily in he first couple of overs, but Shikhar Dhawan was quick to depart in the 4th over off Boult’s bowling. Sharma had looked dangerous, especially off the bowling of Tim Southee, whom he smashed for two consecutive 6’s. However, Boult had the last laugh as he bowled a stunning delivery to the swashbuckling Mumbai-batsman that kissed the off-stump to dislodge the bails.

Here’s Rohit Sharma’s dismissal:

pic.twitter.com/Iv8iK1HXxn

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Speaking to the media ahead of training at the Mumbai stadium, Sharma had said, “For us as a batting unit, it will be a challenge to face a left arm seamer. Trent Boult is one of their prime left-arm fast bowlers. It will be a huge challenge for all batters to come good against.” The dismissal, however, pointed towards the longstanding problem that Indian batsman have had against left-arm pacers, predominantly because of the lack of left-handed bowlers in the team. Notably, Zaheer Khan was the last left-arm seaming option that India played. The pattern of dismissal is anything but new as in the series between the two teams the previous year, Boult had dismissed Rohit Sharma in two of the four matches he’d played in.