Former Australia cricketer Kerry O’Keeffe has taken a brutal dig at India’s captain Rohit Sharma‘s growing age and questioned his poor form. O’Keeffe even asked the Indian team management to consider plan B since Rohit is woefully out of form.
Rohit recently had another disappointing Test match with the bat as he scored 3 and 6 across both the innings. The Indian captain batted out of his opening position, a spot where he usually bats in all the formats.
Rohit pushed himself to No. 6 in the batting order after the success of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul at the top in the first Test at Perth. Jaiswal and Rahul shared an opening partnership of 201 during the second innings in Perth.
Also read: ‘DSP’ Mohammed Siraj ordered to arrest Travis Head after Adelaide Test altercation
Kerry O’Keeffe reminds Rohit Sharma of his growing age
While speaking to Fox Sports, Kerry O’Keeffe spoke about Rohit’s poor performance in Adelaide and claimed it would be tough for him to find form against such a strong Australian bowling attack.
“I think they will pick and stick, India (although) I think consideration has to be given to changing the team. But they won’t. It’s a tough gig to come here at 37 years of age. Rohit has averaged 13 in his last five Test matches (and has) a double failure in Adelaide,” Kerry O’Keeffe said.
“You could count on one hand the number of 37 year old-plusses who have come to Australia and had a significant effect on the series. I think Younis Khan of Pakistan is one. Jacques Kallis of South Africa is another. Both averaged over 50,” he added.
Kerry O’Keeffe advises Gautam Gambhir to move to plan B
Further speaking on Rohit Sharma’s form, O’Keeffe argued whether Rohit will regain form in the upcoming games. He advised Gautam Gambhir and India’s team management to move into Plan B considering the strong Australian bowling attack.
“Can Rohit Sharma do that in the remaining few Tests? That question has to be asked. He’s the skipper. I think he’ll stay, but I think consideration must be given to game plan B. This Australian pace attack is relentless. They are not going anywhere. Is Rohit Sharma?” O’Keeffe argued.
Rohit Sharma’s poor form continues
Rohit Sharma has been going through poor form for the last few months. The Indian skipper had a poor home Test season and failed to score big in the Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand.
Rohit scored just 91 runs in three Tests at an average of 15.16 against New Zealand. The Indian captain looks short of confidence in Adelaide and it will be tough for him to make a comeback in the remaining Tests.
Meanwhile, Australia made a superb comeback in Adelaide and defeated India by 10 wickets. Travis Head was adjudged the Player of the Match for his century. The next Test of the series will be played in Brisbane from December 14. With the series level 1-1, it promises to be a thrilling series from now onwards.