Rohit Sharma - A tale of wasted talent?

Rohit Sharma

Almost two months back in home conditions (read flat tracks) against West Indies (read weaker bowling attack) Rohit Sharma did everything what he was supposed to do with his bat. He was in the reckoning for a middle order batting position in Tests for a long time and finally got his share of the cake.

He scored hundreds in his each of his 2 Test outing and pounced handsomely on West Indies. A century on Test debut, Man of the Match in his first Test and Man of the series in first Test series and what not? Batting at number six, Rohit Sharma looked not only comfortable but technically sound as well. The talent Rohit possesses makes him an ultimate pick for the Indian Test side at least on paper.

After the notable outings Rohit Sharma was all up for an important test assignment against South Africa, being his first overseas Test series. It is always a challenge for every batsman mostly belonging to Indian sub-continent to bat in alien conditions and adjust ones technique to it, which itself is an achievement and tour to South Africa is one such big challenge.

If not all but some eyes were definitely on how Rohit Sharma will perform in the rainbow nation. In a short series of two test matches one has to be on toes to adapt to conditions and perform up to the expectations. Rohit Sharma looked altogether a different player in Africa with 25 being his highest score in four innings contrasting to 177 and 111 not out in two innings he played in home against West Indies. Scores of 14, 6, 0 and 25 indicate his misery with the bat while his counterparts apart from Shikhar Dhawan did a satisfying job with their bat. He completely failed to deliver and play any innings of resistance making him the strong contender for the “flat track bully of the year”.

Rohit was bowled twice in four innings, including an infamous leave of Dale Steyn’s bowling that eventually went on to hit the timber behind him. Was it a quick drop in form or lack in proper batting technique? That is debatable and perhaps India’s tour to New Zealand, another of the bowling paradises will provide the answer, only if selectors retain the faith in him. To set things in order Rohit Sharma will have to perform either astonishingly well or perish and make way for other talented Indian bench strength.

Tour to New Zealand includes only two Test Matches and again in a shorter span of time he has to adjust to good effect. The Mumbai batsman’s failure in South Africa has taken away much of the credibility of his two Test centuries at home. With neck to neck competition in Indian batting, Rohit Sharma’s failure in South Africa with the bat can be a sign post to how his Test career shapes up.