Rohit Sharma rises, Virat Kohli falters: Are India’s ODI legends nearing a turning point? | Cricket News
It was a lunge for life. Rohit Sharma hadn’t yet opened his account when a throw from backward point nearly got the former captain run out at the non-striker’s end. If it had actually done so, it would have put a massive question mark on Rohit’s ODI future. Rohit went on to survive not just the throw but an immensely hostile spell by the pace trio of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Xavier Bartlett to score a 97-ball 73 that will take care of the criticism for the time being. But as Rohit fought his battle, Virat Kohli lost the fight yet again. Bartlett set him up beautifully with a couple of away-going deliveries, with the slips waiting, before slipping in an off-cutter. Virat, caught leg-before scoring his second consecutive duck, could only walk back. And as he did so, the 36-year-old raised his hand, signalling a ‘bye’ to his adoring fans — a gesture that has sent social-media hounds on a wild goose chase. But there may not be too much to read into it. Adelaide Oval is a venue that has given the champion a lot, including his first Test century way back in 2012. His first Test century as skipper, too, came here in 2014. This could well be his way of saying goodbye to his Adelaide fans, who have seen the best of him. Once Virat departed the scene, the next hour or so was all about Rohit’s perseverance and survival instinct. Hazlewood tormented the 38-year-old, and Rohit kept missing outside the off-stump. But to his credit, he played one line, something that we see KL Rahul do a lot as opener in Test cricket, to preserve his outside edge against the outgoing delivery. While Rohit survived that spell, India’s 50 took 15 overs — a run rate that can kill any team’s prospects in ODIs these days. For all of us who have savoured Rohit’s batting in the last few years, including the last ODI World Cup in 2023, it was always about daredevilry and not bothering too much about preserving his wicket. Even in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, Rohit took on New Zealand bowlers early on to make the target of 252 on a difficult track look much easier. Now that Rohit is no longer the captain, the question that needs to be asked is whether the white-ball legend is feeling the pressure to preserve his place. There’s a red-hot Yashasvi Jaiswal, too, who is waiting in the wings, and if Rohit fails in his attempt to be too cavalier, the calls to include the left-hander can grow louder. But then, Rohit did pick up his scoring rate on Thursday, and his two short-arm pulls off medium-pacer Mitchell Owen — to lend some momentum to the innings — were an indicator that the game hasn’t deserted him completely. He should have completed his ton, but Starc, coming back for his second spell, got him with the short ball trying the same shot, the bounce and pace doing the damage. Captain Shubman Gill, who was seen in Perth three days ago having a long chat with Rohit over a bucket of popcorn during the rain break, appreciated the veteran’s Adelaide effort. “He is back after a while and I’m pleased at the way he fought out the initial phase,” Gill said. Rohit looked involved while fielding too, having conversations with the bowlers when they seemed to be losing the plot. It’s to be seen how things go from here for the Mumbai man, who will be under constant scrutiny in the near future — a throwback to his first days as an international cricketer. But then, that’s the choice Rohit has made, and it seems he is ready to live and die by it.
