Rohit fails to get off the mark, struggles to crack South Africa code

CAPE TOWN: In 2013, Rohit Sharma’s introduction to South Africa was nightmarish. He faced 43 balls for 18 in the first ODI at Johannesburg as India lost by over a 100 runs. The passage that stood out during that knock was Dale Steyn bowling to him as the India opener repeatedly failed to get bat to ball. Since then, he has struggled here.

Although the 30-year-old has become one of the most feared openers in limited overs cricket since, he has failed to crack the code in South Africa.

On Wednesday he went for a duck edging a delivery that he was trying to leave. He now averages just 12.10 in 11 matches in South Africa. His career average is 44.54. Virender Sehwag too failed in South Africa, averaging just 15 as against 35.05 in his ODI career. Sehwag too failed to get a fifty in South Africa.

Rohit’s fellow opener Shikhar Dhawan, who scored his second successive ODI half-century on Wednesday, said: “I feel Rohit is playing amazingly. The way he’s timing the ball has been amazing. Even in the last match he was playing very well, but unfortunately he got out. I don’t see any concerns with his batting – he has performed so well from Champions Trophy till now.

“It happens that sometimes you don’t score runs, but the way he’s timing the ball is what matters the most. There’s no problem. Maybe you think there’s a problem, but I don’t. It’s just a matter of one innings and he’ll score runs. Then all problems will get solved!”

But India can afford to ignore Rohit’s failures in ODIS. With Virat Kohli, Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane doing bulk of the scoring, Rohit’s failures have been covered up.