Former cricketer Abhishek Nayar expects veteran India opener Rohit Sharma to bounce back and address his struggles against pace and bounce ahead of the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati on Wednesday (September 30).
Nayar noted that Sharma typically analyzes match footage closely to make technical adjustments following difficult dismissals.
Rohit scored 32 runs off 35 balls before being dismissed by Alzarri Joseph in the series opener in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday (September 27).
The Caribbean pacer bowled a 140+ kph delivery that was full and shaping inward toward the pads. Rohit attempted his signature whip/flick through the leg side but mistimed it off the bottom part of the bat. The ball miscued straight to deep square leg, where Jewel Andrew took a comfortable catch to break India's 74-run opening stand.
Despite his early departure, India comfortably chased down the West Indies' target of 296 in 41.4 overs, securing an 8-wicket win powered by stunning centuries from Virat Kohli (139*) and Shubman Gill (110).
"When we talk about Rohit Sharma, we always think that if a fast bowler is bowling to him, he will score runs. It is never a problem. But Alzarri Joseph came as first change and beat him with pace. That is something Rohit will definitely be thinking about. From what I know of him, he will go back and watch the footage. He will keep replaying how he got out and how that maiden over happened. I am pretty sure he will come back stronger. But that dismissal will stay at the back of his mind. He might take his time early on, or he might counter-attack from the start in the second ODI. It depends on the plan he creates," Nayar said on JioStar.
Nayar pointed out that the red-soil surface in Guwahati typically provides extra pace and bounce, posing an examination of technique for Rohit Sharma.
"But the Guwahati pitch could help the bowlers with pace and bounce. It is a red soil pitch, so there will be good bounce. That will be a test for Rohit. Hopefully, he corrects his approach in the second ODI," Nayar added.
Having won the first match, the Shubman Gill-led Indian team is leading the three-ODI series by 1-0 against the West Indies. Following the Guwahati ODI, the two teams will square off in the series finale in New Chandigarh on October 3.
India’s ODI squad for West Indies series: Shubman Gill [C], Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul [VC], Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Naman Dhir.
