"You put him under pressure as well" - Former Pakistan batter lashes out at Rohit Sharma for opening in 4th BGT 2024-25 Test 

Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has hit out at Rohit Sharma for opening the innings in the fourth Test against Australia in Melbourne and pushing KL Rahul down to the number three position. According to Ali, the move shattered the team's confidence and put pressure on Rahul as well.

Team India went down to Australia by 184 runs in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG to concede a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Chasing 340, India folded up for 155 in 79.1 overs. Having decided to bat in the middle order earlier in the series, Indian captain Rohit opted to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal at the MCG. He failed to overcome his poor form, though, scoring 12 runs across two innings.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ali lashed out at Rohit and opined that his decision to separate the in-form opening pair of Jaiswal and Rahul caused a lot of harm to the team's cause. He said (as quoted by The Times of India):

"Rohit is not in form, and the one who was scoring runs, (KL) Rahul, you put him under pressure as well. Aapne team ka confidence bilkul shatter kar diya (you shattered the confidence of the team)."

There are reports that Rohit could call time on his red-ball career after the New Year Test against Australia in Sydney. Ali, however, feels that the 37-year-old should step down immediately and hand over the reins to Jasprit Bumrah.

"I think the time has come for Rohit to step down; Bumrah should be made captain for the last Test. You have served India a lot, but your body is not supporting you now," the 54-year-old commented.

In Rohit's absence in the first Test of the series against Australia in Perth, Bumrah led the Indian team to a comprehensive 295-run triumph. He was also named Player of the Match for claiming eight wickets.

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Rohit Sharma's dismal numbers in BGT 2024-25

While Rohit did not come to Australia high on confidence, the numbers he has produced with the bat in the ongoing series are downright embarrassing. In five innings across three Tests, he has managed a paltry 31 runs at an average of 6.20. The Indian captain scored 3 & 6 in Adelaide, and 10 in Brisbane before registering twin failures in the Boxing Day Test.

Looking at his overall Test record in Australia, the right-handed batter has played 19 innings and has totaled 439 runs at a poor average of 24.38, with three half-centuries and a best of 63*.