Ricky Ponting Criticizes Rohit Sharma for Lack of Commitment Amid Struggles in Australia
Melbourne: India skipper Rohit Sharma’s lean patch in Australia continued as he was dismissed cheaply on Day 2 of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting criticized Rohit’s approach, calling his dismissal a result of a “lazy” shot that lacked intent and commitment.
India ended the tea session at 51/2 in response to Australia’s formidable first-innings total of 474, built around Steve Smith’s brilliant 34th Test century. Rohit, who has struggled in the ongoing series, fell for just 3 runs, mistiming a pull shot off a delivery from Pat Cummins, which was easily caught by Scott Boland at mid-on.
Speaking on Channel 7, Ponting did not hold back his disappointment with Rohit’s performance. “That was just a lazy shot, not switched on, and not committed. He’s been one of the best players of the hook and pull shots since his debut, but that wasn’t even close to the level he is known for,” Ponting said.
He further added, “If you’re going to survive against this Australian attack, you have to be fully engaged and make good decisions. Otherwise, they’ll get you out every single time. This shot showed none of that intent or commitment.”
India’s Troubles Continue
Rohit’s dismissal only added to India’s woes as KL Rahul, who appeared to be in good touch, fell for 24 just before tea. Rahul was bowled by a sensational delivery from Cummins, hailed as the “ball of the series,” which uprooted the off-stump.
The decision to drop opener Shubman Gill for this Test in favor of playing two spinners—Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar—has also come under scrutiny. Both Jadeja (2/72) and Sundar (1/49) struggled to make an impact, with the Australian batters handling them comfortably on a pitch that offered little assistance.
A Worrying Trend for Rohit
Rohit Sharma’s form in Test cricket has been under the scanner, especially during overseas tours. His performances in the ongoing series against Australia have been far from his usual standards, with the Indian skipper failing to register a significant score in his last five innings.
The lack of runs from Rohit’s bat, combined with questionable tactical decisions, has put India in a precarious position in the series. With Australia in a commanding position after posting a massive total, the onus now lies on the Indian middle order to rescue the innings and prevent the hosts from taking complete control of the game.
Ponting’s Advice
Ponting’s criticism serves as a reminder of the high standards expected at the international level. “It’s not just about skill; it’s about mindset and focus. Rohit needs to bring that intent back into his game if he wants to compete against a quality attack like Australia’s,” he concluded.
As the Test progresses, all eyes will be on the Indian batters to step up and deliver under pressure. For Rohit Sharma, this could be a defining moment to silence critics and reclaim his stature as one of the game’s finest batsmen.