Former cricket great Geoffrey Boycott has criticized India captain Rohit Sharma following England’s crushing of the hosts in the opening Test in Hyderabad. India lost the match by 28 runs as their batting unit could not muster much of an effort in the second inning against the Ben Stokes-led team. Notably, while managing to score 24 and 39 runs in each of the two innings, Rohit Sharma was unable to turn his beginnings into a large total.
Geoffrey Boycott said that the opening is past its prime and just makes tasteful cameos while discussing the same topic. In addition, the 83-year-old said that the Indian team’s fielding is lacking and that they missed Virat Kohli in the first Test. He also said that Ravindra Jadeja’s absence will negatively impact the team in the second Test in Vizag.
Rohit Sharma, their captain, is almost 37 years old and has reached his prime.
Despite his impressive cameos, he has only hit two hundred in the last four years in Tests at home. Also, they lack strength in the field. After 12 years, England has a fantastic opportunity to become the first team to defeat India on their home ground. This Indian team is ready to be destroyed. Boycott stated in his column for The Telegraph, “Ravindra Jadeja has a hamstring injury and will not play in the second Test. India badly misses Virat Kohli.”
“Jadeja is a severe loss. In the first Test, he was their best batsman and an excellent all-arounder. He is also a fantastic bowler and a superb fielder. Their lucky charm is Kohli, he continued.
England has to take full advantage of it before Kohli returns. Geoffrey Boycott
The former cricket player said that the visitors should make the most of Kohli’s absence by remembering his contribution to India in Test cricket. The 35-year-old, who is anticipated to return for the third Test in Ranchi, is notable for having withdrawn from the first two Test matches of the series due to personal concerns.
They get a lot of energy from him in the field as well as from his amazing batsmanship, as he averages sixty runs per over on Indian surfaces. Before he returns for the third Test, England needs to make the most of his significant loss, according to Boycott.
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