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Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has blamed Rohit Sharma for India’s crushing 184-run defeat in the Christmas Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne with a stunning yet logical statement.
Rohit Sharma made the decision to return to his familiar opening position in the fourth Test against Australia after struggling to find form at number six in the second and third Tests of the ongoing 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Basit Ali slams Rohit Sharma’s poor decisions after Australia win MCG Test
However, the change did not yield the results I expected. Instead, it disrupted India’s batting line-up and dented their confidence, according to Basit Ali, ultimately leading to their defeat at the MCG.
Also Read: ‘Make tough decisions’: Rohit Sharma told to quit and Virat Kohli for Sydney Test
Rohit was dismissed for just 3 and 9 runs by Pat Cummins in the two innings of the recent Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The Indian skipper has so far amassed a disappointing 31 in five innings, averaging just 6.20 in the ongoing BGT 2024-25.
This is the lowest average for any visiting captain in Australia. If he fails to perform in the upcoming fifth and final Test against Australia to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 3, 2025, he could set a new low, even worse than the former captain’s average of West Indies Courtney Walsh. 7.75.
Basit Ali blames Rohit Sharma for India’s 184-run defeat in Christmas Day Test
Meanwhile, Basit Ali questioned whether India were overconfident after winning the first Test in Perth. The former Pakistan cricketer also slammed Rohit Sharma, saying that his decision to open broke the confidence of Team India in the fourth Test against Australia at the MCG.
The former Pakistan coach also highlighted how KL Rahul, who had been performing well, came under pressure to drop him, leading to his poor figures of 24 and 0 at number three during the defeat of India of 184 runs on Boxing Day. Test against Australia in Melbourne.
Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel: “Did India feel overconfident after winning the first Test (in Perth)? Ek faisla – ke nahi, never opened karunga. Rohit is not fit, and what he was scoring run, (KL) Rahul, you also pressured him.Aapne team ka confidence bilkul shatter kar diya (You shattered the team’s confidence).
He further pointed out that Shubman Gill, who was dismissed by Washington Sundar, should have played in the Boxing Day Test, even if he scored a zero in both innings against Australia. Basit added, “But just because of Rohit’s position, you disturbed the entire team’s line-up.”
Basit Ali wants Jasprit Bumrah to replace Rohit Sharma as India’s Test captain
Meanwhile, the pressure is mounting on Rohit Sharma, and the former Pakistan cricketer believes it is time for a change in leadership. In a bold statement, Basit Ali suggested that Rohit should step down as captain, with Jasprit Bumrah stepping up to lead India in the final Test.
Basit noted, “I think the time has come for Rohit to step down; (Jasprit) Bumrah should be captain for the last Test. You have served India a lot but now your body is not supporting you” .
He was also disappointed with Gautam Gambhir’s leadership as Basit signed off by saying, “Mera khayal hai Dravid ki yaad aayegi (I think former coach Rahul Dravid will be missed).”
