Rohit Sharma has become a lightning rod for the ‘inundation’ of fan abuse on social media. Social media, at times, can be a ‘social disgrace’, with clueless individuals doubling up as keyboard warriors. Only about a fortnight ago, India were “the best team in the world” after hammering Australia in the first Test in Perth. Now, after a shellacking in the second Test in Adelaide, they are apparently “the worst team in the world”. Most of these reactions can and should be ignored. The Indian team is good at shutting out the outside noise.
Some issues, however, need addressing. Did India show enough aggression in the Adelaide Test, especially when under pressure? The energy of the first Test — led by stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah, with Virat Kohli constantly playing a proactive role on the field — was missing. With the series tied 1-1, India need to bring back controlled aggression for the remaining Tests.
On Monday, an ICC press release confirmed Mohammed Siraj’s punishment for giving Travis Head a fiery send-off in Adelaide. The Indian pacer was fined 20 per cent of his match fee and handed one demerit point. Head, on the other hand, escaped with a reprimand. Ironically, Siraj was sanctioned in a match where India barely showed any aggression. Head, untested by ‘chin music’, went on to score a match-winning hundred.
The Siraj-Head incident is now behind them, but the seamer is likely to be targeted by local crowds in other venues as well. This is where Rohit’s leadership will become critical. Both Rohit and his Australian counterpart Pat Cummins rightly downplayed the incident after the game, but to use a boxing analogy, this is a heavyweight bout, and India must fight fire with fire.
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Sourav Ganguly epitomised this mindset in the 2001 home series, famously making Steve Waugh wait at the toss. His bold leadership countered Waugh’s ‘mental disintegration’ strategy. Similarly, Virat Kohli embraced aggression when facing the Australians. The 2017 Bangalore Test was a case in point, when Steve Smith looked to the dressing room for DRS advice after being adjudged leg-before. Kohli immediately called him out. At the post-match press conference, he didn’t mince words. “We make sure we don’t cross the line,” he had said. “Sledging is one thing… I wouldn’t do something like this on the cricket field.” Kohli just stopped short of calling it “cheating”.
Even the usually composed Anil Kumble channelled his inner Bill Woodfull and reminded Australia that “only one team was playing with the spirit of the game” in the wake of the Monkeygate scandal in the 2007-08 series.
Rohit, however, seems subdued. His lean patch with the bat appears to be affecting his captaincy. Ravi Shastri echoed these sentiments, urging the skipper to rediscover his aggressive self. “Just thought he (Rohit) was a little too subdued, just seeing his body language,” Shastri told Star Sports after the second Test.
India need a captain who sets the tone, both with the bat and on the field. Controlled aggression — not mindless confrontations – will be the key as the series progresses. The Aussies respect opponents who stand up to them, and India must send a clear message. The series is far from over, and this is no time for Rohit or his team to retreat into their shell.
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