India opener Rohit Sharma coped a lot of criticism for his dismissal during the 2nd session on Day 2 of the ongoing fourth Test against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane.
Rohit was looking ominous but he threw his wicket away for 44 while trying to dominate off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
The right-hander had hit some glorious boundaries but could not resist his temptation when Lyon floated one in the air. Rohit came dancing down the track but was not able to get to the pitch of the ball as he chipped it in the air and got holed out at mid-wicket.
Speaking after the day’s play, Rohit reflected on his dismissal and said that he does not regret playing the aerial shot.
"I reached where I wanted to reach, just that I did not connect with where I wanted to hit the ball. I was trying to pierce that long-on and deep square-leg fielder, I just did not connect with the way I would have loved to. I actually liked what I did today, before coming here, we knew it would be a good pitch to bat, of course, there would be bounce and carry to the keeper, but this is what I enjoy," the Indian vice-captain said during the virtual press conference, as quoted by ANI.
"Once I was in and I had played a few overs, I realised there was not much swing so I did little adjustment there, after that, it was an unfortunate dismissal, it is something I won't regret. I like to put pressure on the bowler once I am in and that is my role in this team to keep putting pressure on the bowlers. The run-scoring has been slightly difficult for both the teams so someone needs to put their hand up and think about how to put pressure on the bowlers," he added.
Elaborating further on his point, Rohit said: "In doing that, there is a chance of making mistakes but you should be ready to accept that. It was a plan so I actually have no regrets about playing that shot, it is something I like to, Nathan Lyon is a smart bowler, he bowled into me so I was not able to get the elevation."
Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar blasted Rohit for playing that “irresponsible” shot.
"Why? Why? Why? That is an unbelievable shot. That's an irresponsible shot. There is a fielder at long-on, there is a fielder there at deep square leg. You have just hit a boundary a couple of balls earlier, why would you play that shot? You are a senior player, there is no excuse, absolutely no excuse for that shot. An unnecessary wicket, gifted away. Total unnecessary," said Gavaskar while commentating for Channel 7.
Rain forced early stumps on day two at the Gabba. The visitors finished the day on 62/2, still trailing Australia by 307 runs.
(With ANI inputs)
