Cricket news 2024: Rohit Sharma form slump laid bare after Boxing ...
The pressure continues to mount on Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who was dismissed in ugly fashion early in his side's first innings against Australia.
The 37-year-old has been in terrible form at Test level and after missing the first game due to personal reasons, has failed to fire a shot in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Sharma moved himself back to the top of the order for the Boxing Day Test, forcing a change with Shubman Gill dropping out and KL Rahul switching to the No.3 role.
FOLLOW LIVE: Australia vs India fourth test, day two
READ MORE: Smith notches 'glorious' ton despite 'agonising' ending
READ MORE: 'Extremely lucky': Waugh takes aim over Kohli sanction
The decision didn't pay off after Sharma was dismissed for just 3 inside the first four overs of the innings and India chasing a mammoth total to keep the Test alive.
Rohit Sharma has struggled against Australia this summer. Getty
The right-hander attempted to pull a delivery from Aussie skipper Pat Cummins, but skied it in the air and straight into the safe hands of Scott Boland.
"That is a really big mistake ... it's a nothing shot," Michael Vaughan said on Fox Cricket.
"He is just too early in the innings and hasn't got used to the pace and bounce.
"It's a sad state for the Indian captain, averaging 11 in his past 14 Test innings."
Sharma's dismissal has again placed the spotlight on his spot in the Test team moving forward, especially with a player of Gill's quality carrying the drinks.
In his past 14 knocks, Sharma has managed a total of just 152
Sharma's last century at Test level came earlier this year against England but since then, runs have been few and far between for the revolutionary Indian great.
While he hasn't publicly floated any retirement plans, the end could be near for Sharma according to Australian great Mark Waugh.
"I worry for Rohit Sharma," he said on Fox Cricket.
"He's got three more innings on this tour and if he doesn't make runs, his career is hanging by a thread."
