India is currently playing the second Test match against New Zealand as part of New Zealand’s tour of India 2024.
On the opening day, India took control of the contest by restricting the visitors to a total under 260, despite New Zealand’s strong start.
However, India’s response got off to a shaky start, with the team at 16 for 1, having lost their captain, Rohit Sharma, early in the innings.
Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a duck in the first innings as Tim Southee bowled him with a delivery that breached his defense.
This dismissal fits a recurring pattern for Rohit, who has often struggled against pace bowlers in Test cricket. A viral video circulating online highlights the way he has consistently fallen to similar deliveries over the years.
Despite being one of the world’s top batsmen, especially against fast bowlers, Rohit has encountered difficulties when facing outswingers in red-ball cricket. Deliveries pitched around the off-stump on a good length have troubled him repeatedly.
Bowlers like Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada, and Tim Southee have successfully exploited this weakness by maintaining a disciplined line and length, as seen in the viral footage.
pic.twitter.com/fZfUa3QPP5 https://t.co/390nX3lxp0
— Raj (@hxnslxnda) October 24, 2024
While Rohit has been a standout performer for India across all formats, he will undoubtedly look to address this vulnerability in his game.