Rohit Sharma, India’s captain, faced disappointment yet again in South Africa, this time during the opening Test at Centurion’s SuperSport Park on December 26. Opening the innings, Sharma managed only five runs off 14 deliveries before departing, marking India’s first wicket loss with a mere 13 runs on the board after five overs.
Kagiso Rabada directed a well-placed length ball aimed at Sharma’s body. Attempting a pull shot, Sharma connected but ended up caught by fine-leg fielder Nandre Burger. Rabada celebrated, raising his hands and looking skyward.
Despite being known as one of cricket’s top pullers, Sharma has a tendency to fall victim to this very shot across all three formats. Once more, the 36-year-old relinquished his wicket in a similar fashion.
Sharma’s track record in South Africa’s Tests is underwhelming, having scored only 128 runs across nine innings at an average of 14.3. Notably, in his prior eight appearances in the Rainbow Nation, he played as a middle-order batsman.
Best Pull Shot 🤣🤣🤣#RohitSharma #INDvsSA #Gills pic.twitter.com/EO1la4gCeT
— Chiku18 (@viratiansab) December 26, 2023
Following Sharma’s dismissal, Yashasvi Jaiswal became Nandre Burger’s second victim on debut, caught behind by wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne after contributing 17 runs.