Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that the lack of runs from Indian skipper Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and Rohit Sharma contributed to the team’s defeat in the third and final ODI against New Zealand. He specifically pointed out that runs were needed from Sharma, particularly in the last match. In the third ODI against New Zealand in Indore on Sunday, Sharma, Gill, and Iyer had a disappointing performance. Sharma was dismissed for 11, Gill managed to score 23, and Iyer was sent back to the pavilion for just three.
“Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and Rohit Sharma not playing big knocks, I think that has let the team down. Rohit Sharma, there is no problem with him, but runs were required here. Runs were required in the last match,”
Chopra was quoted as saying on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra also emphasised Sharma’s struggle for runs throughout the New Zealand series, noting that he was dismissed while playing aerial shots in all three matches, leaving Virat Kohli to shoulder the burden. Sharma accumulated only 61 runs in three innings at an average of 20.33 and failed to score a half-century in the series. Despite getting starts in all three matches, he lost his wicket while attempting to hit big shots.
“It wasn’t going to happen without him because two of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill had to score runs. Kohli was standing alone, but Rohit got out. He got out in all three matches. He got out playing shots in the air all three times,” he added.
Also Read: When Will Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma Play Their Next ODI Match For India?
Shubman Defends Rohit
Despite his poor run in the New Zealand series, Gill supported Sharma, stating that he has been in excellent form since the Australia series. However, Gill acknowledged that the veteran opener struggled to convert his starts in the New Zealand series.
“I think Rohit Sharma is in terrific form, even right through from the Australia series, even in the South Africa series. I think, as I said, you won’t always be able to convert the starts that you get. And I think Rohit got some starts in this New Zealand series as well. As a batsman, you always want to convert those starts and always want to make it count and make it into hundreds. But it’s not possible to do it every time. But at the same time, that’s something that you always strive to do,” Gill was quoted as saying to reporters.
New Zealand secured their first-ever ODI series win in India with a 41-run victory over the hosts in Indore.
(With inputs from Agencies)
