Twitterati ask the merit for Rohit Sharma’s selection ahead of Hanuma Vihari

The Australia vs India Test series got underway with the first Test at the Adelaide Oval. Even before the start of the game, there was a lot of anticipation on what the Indian XI would look like. As a norm, the team did release the 12 names on the eve of the match but there was one spot up for grabs with two names in line. For No.6, the Indian team had Rohit Sharma and Hanuma Vihari.

While Vihari deserved a spot in the team every bit given the way he made his debut in England it was Sharma the Indian team opted for. At the toss, Virat Kohli called it right and made the decision to bat first. He thought it was a good wicket to bat on with some grass on it. Their priority is to get runs on the board and then put pressure on the opposition.

Talking about the team combination he said they’ve picked Rohit for the role at No.6 given his ability to bat well with the tail. He also has the shots that suit the kind of wickets on offer in Australia. Kohli also said that his limited-overs deputy is in a better position to negotiate the short ball at the same time can attack the bowlers to give it back.

“Rohit Sharma will bat at six, he can bat well with tail, has the shots on these kind of wickets, he’s good with the short ball and can attack the bowlers,” Kohli said.

Twitterati, however, wasn’t impressed with this call. They questioned the merit of this decision and wanted to know what had Rohit done to get a nod ahead of someone like Vihari. There were those terming it a bias towards a certain player who has always failed to deliver.

Here are the reactions to Rohit’s inclusion in the Indian XI for the Adelaide Test:

You could say Vhari is a bit unlucky to miss out and his offspin could have been handy, but if there is a place for Rohit Sharma to succeed it’s Australia. And his batting is ideal for No 6

— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) December 6, 2018

Rohit Sharma at number six (predicted that the day I landed here in Australia). Also, India won the toss and opted to bat. #AusvInd

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) December 5, 2018

Rohit Sharma is one lucky son of a gun. Did nothing to merit a test spot after getting dropped. Yet, back in the team eating up a youngsters place. #AUSvIND

— vinodh (@vinodh_mvk) December 5, 2018

Was hoping Rohit Sharma would get picked. He has the game to succeed. More than that, he looked like he had cracked Test cricket too before he got cruelly injured. And then he was judged harshly for two Tests played in very bowler-friendly conditions. #AUSvIND

— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) December 5, 2018

The idea of playing first class matches to get into the team was accepted during the T20 selection, where Rohit Sharma didn't play a single first class game since his last international test appearance! Where is your logic MSK PRASAD #INDvsAUS @BCCI

— Kathiravan Elango (@kathir_elango) December 5, 2018

Rohit sharma over hanuma vihari 😡😡 #INDvAUS

— The Dark Circle Rises (@Buy1GetNone) December 5, 2018

When will India start giving chances to players based on Domestic & A team performances. Rohit Sharma itseems. MF Shastri. 😕🙁 #AUSvIND

— Jaggi (@jaggi_sg) December 5, 2018

From 'he can change the game in a session' to 'he has been looking good in the nets' to 'he can bat well with the tail', Rohit Sharma has got many ropes…this probably is the last….let's hope he cashes in#AUSvIND

— Hari Sadanandan (@iamharry_88) December 5, 2018

Kohli continues to make baffling Test selections in the first match of an overseas tour yet again. Big call playing Rohit Sharma over Vihari. #AUSvIND

— Hitesh Chugani (@hitsubishi) December 5, 2018

To be fair winning the toss and batting first with no Jadeja to complement Ashwin makes it likely this test could end in a draw. Still feel Jadeja should have played ahead of Rohit Sharma. At this point you're hoping India makes 550 and makes Australia bat last. #AUSvIND

— Arjun Chopra (@ArjunChopra_8) December 5, 2018

Rohit Sharma and the preferntial treatment he gets 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️..Trust Kohli and Ravi Shastri to drop a batsman who scored 50 plus with Tailenders in his debut innings in bowling heaven England #AUSvIND #IndvsAus

— IgnitedRamblings (@WalkingXception) December 5, 2018

Rohit Sharma over Hanuma Vihari! Never saw this coming. #INDvAUS

— Dina (@imDina_Rk) December 5, 2018

Rohit Sharma fir se? Ye kya bakchodi he?

— Unai's Esplaynn (@alazygooner) December 5, 2018

Another surprising call to go ahead with Rohit Sharma instead of Hanuma Vihari.Unfortunate for Vihari to miss out. #AUSvIND

— Chirag (@chirag_rachchh) December 5, 2018

The bias towards Rohit Sharma is unreal. What has he done to merit a place in the XI? And what wrong has Hanuma Vihari done to get the axe.

— Shivam (@Romeo_Shivam) December 5, 2018

I don't why Kohli is always inclined to Rohit Sharma#AUSvIND

— Tarbin (@basnet_tarbin) December 5, 2018

India have picked Rohit Sharma. A player with the grand total of zero first class games since he was dropped from the Test team in South Africa. #AUSvIND

— Akash Fotedar (@akashfotedar5) December 5, 2018

Rohit Sharma in at No 6, bold move by Virat Kohli, no experiments, lessons learnt from South Africa n England of playing safe with a settled combination #AUSvIND

— Sanjjeev (@Sanjjeev) December 5, 2018

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