Rohit Sharma’s captaincy has come under scrutiny following India’s 3-0 Test series defeat to New Zealand. The loss has raised questions about his tactical acumen, particularly in the face of pressure to perform in the upcoming series against Australia.
New Zealand star Will Young has shed light on how he successfully countered Rohit’s tactics during the recent Test series. Young revealed that he and his teammates had learned to master their skills on spin-friendly surfaces during their 2021 tour of India.
In the 2023 series, Rohit and Ravindra Jadeja attempted to put pressure on Young by blocking the mid-off region. However, Young devised a counter-strategy, targeting full deliveries and hitting them over the top straight.
“I just felt that if the ball was full enough, I could try to reach it and smother the spin and get it over the top straight,” Young explained. “And I had a chat to Daryl Mitchell about it in between overs and he said, ‘Yeah, mate, just back yourself.'”
Young’s success in countering Rohit’s tactics forced the Indian captain to change his strategy. The New Zealand batter’s adaptability and ability to exploit the opposition’s weaknesses highlight the importance of tactical flexibility in modern cricket.
As India prepares for the Australia series, Rohit will need to find ways to improve his team’s performance and silence the critics. The upcoming tour will be a crucial test of his leadership and tactical acumen.
