Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar feels that Rohit Sharma’s favourite shot in white-ball cricket has turned into his nemesis in Test cricket after he was dismissed cheaply on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at Centurion. Rohit was dismissed for just 5 in the opening match by premier Proteas paceman Kagiso Rabada.
The Indian skipper attempted his go-to shot – Pull Shot on the short ball but Rabada was ready for it and placed a fielder at fine leg as Nandre Burger grabbed an easy catch.
The former India cricketer also pointed out that Rohit has been dismissed several times while playing the pull shot in Test cricket in recent times.
“It’s interesting that his go-to shot, the one shot that he plays in white-ball cricket that puts the opposition on the back foot, has been Rohit Sharma’s nemesis in test cricket. In the last two years, he’s been out seven times playing the pull shot. But the bowler deserves this as it was a great delivery,” Manjrekar told Star Sports.
It was the 13th time in international cricket when Rabada dismissed Rohit – which is the most by any bowler. Meanwhile, the Indian skipper became Rabada’s victim for the sixth time in the Test – most by any pacer.
India laboured to 208 for eight when bad light and rain halted the final session’s play on the first day of the opening Test against South Africa on Tuesday. After a long wait, the umpire decided to announce an early stumps due to the rain and bad light.
The elemental adversity stopped the play after 59 overs on a day that also saw a delayed toss due to wet patches on the field.
Rahul, who made a century to set up an Indian win on the same ground two seasons ago, was unbeaten on 70.
Rabada was outstanding for the hosts after they sent India in to bat on a pitch which had been under cover because of rain for 40 hours leading up to the morning of the match.
But South Africa failed to take full advantage of helpful conditions. Left-arm fast bowler Nandre Burger was impressive in his first spell in Test cricket, taking two early wickets, but neither Marco Jansen nor Gerald Coetzee could find consistent control.
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