"I Personally Hated...": Rohit Sharma's Big Revelation On Past Batting Position Ahead Of South Africa 2nd Test

02.01.2024 - 13:42 sports.ndtv.com

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is well known for his witty quips during press conference and ahead of the second Test match against South Africa, he came up with another gem of a comment with regards to batting positions.

During the pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Rohit was asked about Shubman Gill batting at No. 3 instead of his preferred opening position.

Rohit was quick to state that he believes that it is an individual decision on how batters decide to look at certain positions in the batting order and even quipped that since he started opening, the other positions seem wrong to him. "It is an individual thing as to how you think about certain batting positions.

I personally hated batting at No. 3. That is my opinion on that. Either you open the batting or you wait and go a little down the order - No.

cricket South Africa Cricket Team India Cricket Team South Africa vs India Test on Rohit Sharma Shubman Gill South Africa India

India beat South Africa by seven wickets despite a stunning century by Aiden Markram on the second day of the second Test at Newlands on Thursday. The win helped the side level the two-match series 1-1. This was only the second time that India managed to draw a Test series in the Rainbow Nation. They have played a total of nine Test series in South Africa and lost seven of them. The comeback victory on Thursday, however, did give a big boost to the Indian players' confidence.

"Made Mistakes In...": Rohit Sharma Faces Criticism Over Poor Captaincy On South Africa Tour

After the completion of the India vs South Africa series on Thursday, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out skipper Rohit Sharma's mistakes while leading the visitors and said that once one loses a moment, then they lose the game. While speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar said that the 36-year-old skipper made mistakes in both Tests. He added that it cost the visitors during the first Test match. "In Test cricket if you lose moments, you lose the game. Rohit made mistakes in both Tests and while it cost us massively in the first game, thankfully Siraj had given allowance for the second Test. Siraj bowling just one over when Markram was scoring and the lead swelled to 60 was a mistake," Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo.

Revisiting Viral Moment When Indian Cricket Team Star Complained Of Hole In Newlands Pitch During 2nd Test Against South Africa

The Newlands pitch has been in the headlines ever since the first day of the second Test between India and South Africa saw a whopping 23 wickets fall. As game resumed on the second day, India struck early, with Jasprit Bumrah sending back David Bedingham. However, not longer after the Proteas lost their 4th wicket of the second innings, play came to a brief halt as India pacer Mukesh Kumar complained of a hole in the pitch where his foot was landing while bowling. Though India captain Rohit Sharma downplayed the situation, hammers came out as the ground staff looked to resolve the matter.

India vs South Africa: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's DRS Discussion In Second Test Has Internet In Splits For 'Wrong' Language

With just one wicket to go and three reviews remaining, the Indian cricket team decided to make use of their resources, although knowing that the result was unlikely to come in their favour. Mohammed Siraj hit South Africa's Nandre Burger high on the right right, on Day 2 of the second Test at Cape Town, but the umpire had little interest in rewarding Team India's appeal. However, realising that India have three DRS calls to spare, Rohit contemplated going for a review, after a brief discussion with teammates, but eventually decided against taking it.

"Didn't Happen In 1st Game...": Rohit Sharma's Honest Admission As India Make Big Changes For 2nd Test

South Africa stand-in captain Dean Elgar won the toss and opted to bat against India in the second Test in Cape Town on Wednesday. Elgar, who slammed 185 in the first Test as South Africa defeated India by an innings and 32, runs, will retire from international cricket after the match at the Newlands. The Proteas made three changes with wicketkeeper-batter Tristan Stubbs making his Test debut. Lungi Ngidi and Keshav Maharaj have also been included in the playing XI while Bavuma, Keegan Petersen and Gerald Coetzee miss out. India also made a couple of alterations from the side which was humbled by Proteas on Boxing-Day week.

India vs South Africa 2nd Test Day 1, Cape Town Weather Report: Will Rain Force Delayed Start?

India vs South Africa 2nd Test Day 1, Cape Town Weather Report: Will Rain Play Spolisport?