AUS vs IND: Fans flood social media with memes after Rohit Sharma’s disappointing return on Day 1 of Adelaide Test

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Rohit Sharma‘s return to Test cricket under the lights of the Adelaide Oval turned out to be another chapter in his recent struggles, as the Indian skipper could muster only three runs before falling victim to Scott Boland. With the Indian batting order already in tatters, Rohit’s dismissal added to the team’s woes on Day 1 of the second Test against Australia in the ongoing five-match series. His inability to find form has become a growing concern, especially given his crucial leadership role.

A tough start for Rohit Sharma 

The expectations from Rohit were immense, especially after India’s commanding win in the first Test in Perth. However, his decision to slide down the order to No. 6 to accommodate the in-form opening pair of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal did little to alter his fortunes. Walking into a precarious situation, with India reeling from Mitchell Starc’s fiery opening spell, Rohit faced the tall task of stabilizing the innings.

Boland, known for his accuracy and discipline, delivered a sharp nip-backer that tested Rohit’s technique. The delivery pitched just outside off and jagged back in sharply as Rohit committed to a forward defense. Missing the line entirely, the ball struck him on the front pad. The appeal from Boland and his teammates was convincing enough for the umpire to raise his finger. Though Rohit briefly considered a review, a discussion with Rishabh Pant at the non-striker’s end led him to walk back to the dressing room, visibly dejected.

Mirror image of past failures

Rohit’s dismissal for three runs mirrored his showing in the two-day pink-ball warm-up match in Canberra, where he was dismissed for the same score. The worrying trend has persisted throughout his last 11 innings, where he has averaged just 12 runs. These numbers are a far cry from his earlier dominance, raising questions about his current form and ability to handle the challenges posed by the Australian pacers in the ongoing series. The Indian skipper’s struggles were compounded by the fact that he had failed to make any significant contributions in his previous Test innings as well. With criticism mounting and the pressure of captaincy weighing heavily on him, Rohit’s form has become a critical talking point for Team India.

Australian pacers shine under the lights

Australia’s pace attack, led by the experienced Starc and the dependable Boland, exploited the pink ball to perfection. Starc set the tone with a dream start, dismissing. Jaiswal on the very first ball of the match. His lethal swing and control troubled the Indian top order, removing Rahul and Virat Kohli to leave India in disarray.

Boland, playing his first game of the series in place of the injured Josh Hazlewood, proved an able partner for Starc. He accounted for Shubman Gill with a cleverly disguised in-swinger that trapped the right-hander in front. Gill, who looked promising with a well-made 31, misjudged the line and paid the price. Boland then turned his focus to Rohit, delivering another crucial blow to the visitors. After the fall of Rohit, Ravichandran Ashwin and Nitish Reddy tried to stabilize the innings by playing some counter attacking shots but eventually were not enough as the visitors were eventually bundled out for 180 by the end of second session.

Also READ: Fans brutally troll Virat Kohli as the Indian batter gets dismissed cheaply on Day 1 of the Pink Ball Test – AUS vs IND

Fan frustration boils over Rohit’s failure

Rohit’s lack of form and failure to deliver under pressure sparked a flurry of reactions on social media. Fans and analysts alike expressed their frustration at the Indian skipper’s prolonged slump. Memes and critical posts flooded various platforms, with many pointing to his average of just 12 across his last 11 innings as evidence of his struggles. The criticism wasn’t limited to his batting; questions were also raised about his decision-making as captain.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Also WATCH: Mitchell Starc removes Virat Kohli for a low score on Day 1 of the pink ball Test

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