It has been a tough campaign for Rohit Sharma till now as the Indian cricket team skipper has struggled to score runs during the ongoing Test series against England. Rohit scored 24 and 39 in the first Test match where he got starts on both occasions but failed to convert them into big knocks. The numbers were worse in Visakhapatnam where he could manage to score 14 and 13 in the two innings. The India skipper has looked a bit hesitant in deciding how to approach his innings in Test cricket and according to a report by Indian Express, Rohit had a somewhat tough time during practice ahead of the third Test.
The report stated that Rohit found it difficult to handle a net bowler during the practice session in Rajkot and he was dismissed twice on consecutive deliveries. The first one was a sharp in-swinger that uprooted his middle stump and on the second occasion, he ended up nicking an out-swinging delivery.
With the exception of phenomenal knocks from Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill, the Indian batters have not looked quite convincing in the series till now. The situation will get tougher in the third Test where the team management is expected to pick an extremely inexperienced side.
With Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer missing out due to injuries, it is likely that both Sarfaraz Khan and Rajat Patidar will be added to the squad. With rumours suggesting that Dhruv Jurel can replace KS Bharat as the wicket-keeper, it is likely that the batters playing for India in the middle order can have a combined experience of just one Test with both Sarfaraz and Jurel making their debuts.
India will need to be ruthless and tactful in equal measure while dealing with an unpredictable England when the third chapter of a riveting Test series begins on Thursday.
After England shocked India in the series opener at Hyderabad, the hosts came back strong in Vizag to get on level footing, leaving the five-match series perfectly poised.
The brilliance of Yashasvi Jaiswal (321 runs) and Jasprit Bumrah (15) allowed India to make a comeback in the series but concerns remain over a misfiring middle-order, which will now be relying on the young talent to deliver the goods.
(With PTI inputs)