India skipper Rohit Sharma has come under the scanner for his low scores in the ongoing Test series against England at home.
The right-handed opener registered scores of 24, 39, 14 and 13 in the four innings of the first two Tests in Hyderabad and Vizag, much to the disappointment of the Indian fans.
Reflecting on Rohit’s performance, former cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra said he doesn’t think that the Indian captain is focusing less on his batting.
However, Chopra acknowledged that Rohit has had a few soft dismissals in the first two Tests against England.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Chopra was asked whether Rohit needs to focus more on his batting. In reply, the former India opener said: "I won't say he is not concentrating on his batting because it's not his first series as a captain. He has captained earlier as well and has done well also as a captain.”
"However, let's be honest the way he has gotten out, some shots were avoidable, like in the first match, the shot he played against Jack Leach after jumping down the track was ordinary. After that, in the first innings in Vizag, the shot he played against Shoaib Bashir was slightly lazy," he added.
Aakash Chopra pointed out that Rohit Sharma was dismissed by a wonderful delivery from James Anderson in the second innings of the Vizag Test and was trapped in front of the wickets in the second essay in Hyderabad.
"You knew there was a fielder present there. Jimmy Anderson bowled a good ball in the second innings. In the second innings in Hyderabad as well, the ball pitched and came in, and hit his pads," he said.
Rohit also had a poor series against South Africa recently. In two Test matches on spicy pitches, the batter could only manage 60 runs at an average of 20.
According to Chopra, India need runs from Rohit Sharma to win the home series against England.
"However, the truth is that it's absolutely necessary for Rohit Sharma to come in form if India have to win this series. It is not optional, he has to come in form," Chopra said.
"The opposition bowling is looking slightly weak to you but they are punching above their weight. However, if Rohit Sharma bats one full day, he will make it evident how ordinary the England bowling standard, especially the spin bowling, is. He is that good," he further remarked.
After the first two Tests, the five-match series is evenly poised at 1-1. While England won the series opener in Hyderabad by 28 runs, the hosts bounced back to win the second Test in Vizag by 106 runs.
The third Test is slated to commence on February 15 in Rajkot