"Lazy, not switched on" - Former Aussie captain tears into Rohit Sharma's shot selection on Day 2 of BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting slammed Indian skipper Rohit Sharma for his shot selection to be dismissed on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Rohit was in woeful Test form coming into the Australian series, with back-to-back poor home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand.

The 37-year-old batted at No.6 in the second and third Test against Australia after missing the series opener. However, with only 19 runs at an average of 6.33 in three innings, Rohit returned to his customary opening position in the ongoing Melbourne outing.

Unfortunately, the move paid no dividends as Rohit played a half-hearted short-arm pull that went straight up in the air to be dismissed for a five-ball 3.

Talking about the dismissal, Ponting said on Channel 7:

"That's just a lazy, not switched on, not up for the moment type of shot. He's been known as one of the best hookers and pullers of the ball since he's made his debut but that's just not there. It's nothing. It's not committed, not really looking to be aggressive, he's just looking to tap it on the head."

He added:

"Might have held in the wicket yes, it might have seamed away from him a fraction. But if you're going to survive against this Australian attack, you've got to be switched on. You've got to be making good decisions. If you're not, they'll knock you over every time."

Rohit's series tally is now a paltry 22 runs in four innings at an average of 5.50. He has scored only one half-century in his last 14 Test innings, with an average of just over 11 in that stretch.

"I have not batted well" - Rohit Sharma ahead of Boxing Day Test

Australia v India - Men's 2nd Test Match: Day 3 - Source: Getty

Rohit Sharma acknowledged his poor batting form after India survived with a draw in the third Australian Test at Brisbane.

Apart from his dismal recent form, the veteran batter has historically found the going tough in Australia. Following the latest dismissal, Rohit's average has dropped below 26 in 10 Tests down under.

At the press conference after the Brisbane Test, Rohit talked about his form [Via Economic Times]:

"I have not batted well. There's no harm in accepting that. But I know what's in my mind, how I'm preparing myself. All those boxes are very much ticked. It's just about spending as much time as possible, which I'm pretty sure I'm just there. As long as my mind, my body, my feet are moving well, I'm pretty happy with how things are panning out for me. Sometimes those numbers can tell you that it's been a while since he's got big runs."

Despite Rohit's early dismissal, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul steadied the ship, taking India to 48/1 in 13 overs in response to Australia's first-innings total of 474.