Team India’s batting woes continued in the second innings of the Wankhede Test, as New Zealand’s spinners wreaked havoc, leaving India reeling at 29/5 in their pursuit of 147 runs. The Indian stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, failed to deliver once again, falling prey to the guile of the Kiwi spinners.
Rohit Sharma’s reckless shot against Matt Henry drew criticism from commentator Harsha Bhogle, who questioned the Indian skipper’s approach. “Trying to get my head round Rohit Sharma’s approach. Struggling. That was a wicket on a platter and ends a disappointing home season for him with 133 in 10 innings,” Bhogle tweeted.
Kohli, who has struggled throughout the series, managed just a single run before being dismissed by Ajaz Patel. Bhogle highlighted the poor form of both Kohli and Rohit, stating, “Kohli 192 in 10 innings. Rohit 133. It has been a forgettable home season for the big two.”
India’s batting has been a major concern throughout the series, with Rohit and Kohli failing to provide the necessary contributions. Their underwhelming performances have played a significant role in India’s first Test series loss at home since 2012.
The Indian team now faces an uphill task to salvage a draw in the Wankhede Test. With the spinners dominating, India’s batsmen will need to show resilience and patience to navigate the challenging conditions.
