Former India captain Kapil Dev has come out in support of out-of-form Rohit Sharma ahead of the third Test of the ongoing five-match series in Brisbane. Despite Rohit’s struggles with the bat in recent Tests, Kapil Dev believes that Rohit is amongst the four best batters to have played for India, placing him in the same category as Virat Kohli.
Rohit Sharma has only managed 142 runs in his last six Tests, with an average of 11.83, including just one half-century. After dropping himself in the middle order in the first Test in Adelaide, Rohit failed to make an impact with scores of three and six. However, Kapil Dev remains optimistic about Rohit’s form and talent.
During an event at the Delhi Golf Club, Kapil Dev stated, “Like Virat Kohli, he is one of the best cricketers in our country. If you put the four top batsmen, he will be there. If he is going through a rough time, it is only up to him how fast he can bounce back.”
Kapil Dev also defended Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, criticizing those who questioned his leadership after a string of losses. He pointed out that Rohit led India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup and emphasized the need to trust in his abilities to bounce back from setbacks.
Rohit Sharma recently became the fourth Indian captain to lose four Tests in a row, following Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli. Despite this, Kapil Dev believes in Rohit’s resilience and expects him to come back stronger.
Regarding Jasprit Bumrah’s captaincy in the recent Test win in Perth, Kapil Dev stated that it was too early to pass judgment on his leadership skills. He emphasized the importance of giving players time to gain experience and handle both success and failure.
As for the inclusion of Harshit Rana in the second Test, Kapil Dev refrained from criticizing the decision, stating that it is not his place to judge team selection. He highlighted the responsibility of the selectors and team management in making such decisions.
Australia emerged victorious in the second Test, defeating India by 10 wickets to level the series at 1-1. As the teams head to Brisbane for the third Test, all eyes will be on Rohit Sharma as he looks to rediscover his form and make a significant impact in the crucial match.
