Fans of the Indian cricket team expressed disappointment and took to social media to create memes following captain Rohit Sharma’s early exit in the Super 8 match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 against Afghanistan at Kensington Oval in Barbados on June 20.
Rohit Sharma, opening for India, fell victim to Afghanistan’s left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi in the third over, managing only 8 runs from 13 deliveries. This dismissal marked the fifth occasion that Farooqi has gotten the better of Rohit in T20 cricket, underscoring a recurring challenge for the Indian captain.
Amidst ongoing discussions on social media regarding Rohit Sharma’s challenges against left-arm pacers in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, where he was dismissed by such bowlers for the third time in four matches, criticism and trolling have intensified. Rohit’s historical difficulty facing left-arm pacers is evident, with 23 dismissals at an average of 16.69, prompting widespread debate and memes on various platforms.
In response to the criticism, Sunil Gavaskar, a cricketing legend, has come to Rohit’s defense, emphasizing his extensive experience and impressive career statistics in limited-overs cricket. Gavaskar suggested that Rohit’s overall contributions should not be overshadowed by a few dismissals, urging fans to consider his broader impact and capabilities in the game.
Sunil Gavaskar said: “He is an experienced batter. He knows what he has gotta do. You can’t really tell Rohit Sharma to change his game because of the angle of the bowler. Yes, sometimes you might say because of the angle – don’t hit towards the on side. Maybe look to play the inside-out shot over extra cover. These are things you try and maybe understand. Sitting up there, you think about all of what you should have done.”
Gavaskar recommended adapting strategies according to the bowler’s angle but emphasized that changing Rohit’s approach against left-arm pacers would not be productive.
Sunil Gavaskar says Rohit Sharma understands their game well
The esteemed batsman recognized that getting out is an inherent part of cricket and shouldn’t necessarily highlight a major weakness, especially for someone of Rohit’s stature, who has accumulated significant runs throughout his career.
Gavaskar elaborated that seasoned players like Rohit possess a deep understanding of their game and have developed effective methods to tackle various challenges. He asserted that occasional dismissals to left-arm pacers should not overshadow Rohit’s established record of success and cricketing acumen.
Rather than suggesting a fundamental change in approach, Gavaskar proposed minor tactical adjustments, such as employing more inside-out shots towards extra cover, to mitigate risks specifically against left-arm pacers.
