Rohit Sharma – India’s Latest Fall Guy for a Series Loss Abroad

Rohit Sharma is being blamed for India’s loss against South Africa as if only his performance mattered.

India have fumbled on their first primary assignment of the year, and only one man is responsible for this. His name is Rohit Sharma.

His presence in the eleven and the team has been the reason for India’s humiliation in their first series of the year.

Rohit Sharma doesn’t have the game to survive the litmus test of conditions abroad; neither the skill nor the temperament. Everyone can see that, except the men who are there and taking those calls for selection.

This is what you may feel about Rohit Sharma, if you agree with the recent criticism of him in media and on social media.

Until December he was India’s most successful cricketer who had turned the leaf with his scintillating form in 2017. After Virat Kohli, he was India’s most successful batsman, and everyone was in awe of his talent, timing and achievements. And now in 2018, he’s probably the most hated person in Indian cricket.

India’s Fall Guy

History repeats itself. India has lost another series abroad, the most common outcome on their foreign ventures since 1932. And like every time, rather than looking at the problem as a whole, we’re looking for one fall guy who could be blamed for this epidemic loss. As if cricket was one man show, and only his performance mattered.

Thank God it hasn’t reached a point where every run-out, every bad shot, every catch dropped is attributed of Rohit’s presence in the side.

Had poor Rohit been informed before leaving India that if he doesn’t go to South Africa, India will win the series, he’d have opted out of the series.

No one is saying Rohit has done something extraordinary or he deserved to be there in the eleven. But look at the list of run scorers for India in the series, and you see names like Cheteshwar Pujara, KL Rahul, Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan after him. And going by experts, at least three of them have the ‘right game’ to endure these conditions. But no one is as guilty as Rohit.

Why? Because he’s eating up the place of Ajinkya Rahane, India’s most dependable bet in overseas conditions.

Rohit Sharma’s X Factor

No one is talking about other places and combinations. No one is willing to look at the possibility of playing an extra batsman in these conditions. No one has tried to see things from the team’s point of view.

A talented cricketer like Rohit will always force selectors, team management and the captain to take a bet on him. Players like him bring that X factor, and the exuberance of their talent will induce you to write their name on the team-sheet. They can change the game or the series in one session of Test cricket, and the team will always feel that a moment of greatness is around the corner. Teams are willing to stretch themselves to get the best out of him.

One such example is India’s third Test against Sri Lanka at SSC Colombo in a 2015 series, that was evenly placed at 1-1. India in the second innings was 7-3 on a lively seaming track. India needed one innings to seal the game and series for them.

Rohit walked in, backed himself to play his natural game and changed the complexion of the match to secure India’s first Test victory in Sri Lanka after 23 years. He scored only 50, but these runs were enough to ensure the momentum for India.

The Indian team management would back Rohit and be patient with them. But are we?

How many times have Rohit walked out to bat without any fear of failure, striding out to enjoy his batting and play his uninhibited game. However, now, at the back of his mind, Rohit knows everyone wants him to fail. Because that’s how everyone envisages his story.

Rohit’s failure gives every cricket expert – from those in a coffee shop to the commentary box – a chance to say, “Didn’t I tell you, he hasn’t got a Test cricketer in him.” When he walks out to bat in coloured clothing, Rohit knows everyone believes in his potential and wants him to do well. But in white clothes, he knows he doesn’t have many chances – one low score and the knives will be out.

So-called Test cricketers can retain their place after many failures. But two bad innings and Rohit’s selection is discussed, debated and dissected like a national crisis.

Rohit Sharma’s story is so similar to that of Yuvraj Singh, another great One-Day cricketer who couldn’t prove his worth in the longer version of the game. Every time he got his chance, he was on a borrowed lifeline. Either the great Sourav Ganguly was injured, or Rahul Dravid was opening the innings to accommodate him or Laxman had to make way.

Yuvraj’s Test selection was the most prominent story even before he walked out to bat. And the burden of expectations played on his mind. The same feet that were not moving in Test cricket were used to win matches for India in One-Day cricket and that too, under immense pressure. Every time India lost the series or game, they had a scapegoat ready in the form of Yuvraj.

Rohit is as guilty as every member of this side for India’s dismal show in the series so far. He should be given a fair and free chance to prove his worth in Test cricket, which is a game of patience. How about showing some patience with Rohit Sharma and allowing him to figure out his Test cricket himself? That’s the least he deserves.

(Nishant Arora is an award-winning cricket journalist, and most recently, the media manager of the Indian Cricket Team. He also co-authored the best-selling book on Yuvraj Singh’s battle with cancer.)

(We Indians have much to talk about these days. But what would you tell India if you had the chance? Pick up the phone and write or record your Letter To India. Don’t be silent, tell her how you feel. Mail us your letter at [e-mail]. We’ll make sure India gets your message.)