Rohit Sharma, India’s esteemed captain, has faced criticism for his questionable DRS decisions. During the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, Rohit’s refusal to review a caught-behind decision left him with a face-palm moment.
In the 62nd over, Bangladesh batter Hasan Mahmud faced Ravichandran Ashwin’s delivery. The ball spun sharply and bounced high, hitting Mahmud’s glove before being caught by wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant. However, replays suggested the ball may have grazed Mahmud’s forearm before entering Pant’s gloves.
Despite Pant’s insistence on taking DRS, Rohit remained adamant. The replays later confirmed that the ball had indeed touched Mahmud’s glove, meaning a review would have resulted in an overturned decision.
Pant couldn’t resist teasing Rohit, saying, “Out tha, abe yaar replay dekh to lo (it was out, at least see the replay).”
Despite the DRS blunder, India secured a comprehensive 280-run victory, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
After the match, Rohit praised Pant’s remarkable return to Test cricket after a 600-day absence. “He’s been through some really tough times. The way he has managed himself through those tough times was superb to watch,” Rohit said.
Rohit’s DRS decision-making has been a topic of discussion among cricket pundits. Some believe his reluctance to review decisions stems from a desire to maintain control on the field. Others suggest it may be a lack of confidence in the DRS system.
Regardless of the reasons, Rohit’s DRS decisions have raised questions about his captaincy. As India prepares for the upcoming Test series against Australia, Rohit will need to improve his DRS decision-making to ensure the team’s success.
