[Watch] Rohit Sharma perishes for a low score again as Pat Cummins strikes on Day 5 of BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Team India skipper Rohit Sharma's miserable run with the bat continued as he was dismissed cheaply in the team's second innings of the ongoing fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test. The veteran batter scored just nine runs off 40 balls during his stay at the crease on Day 5 (Monday, December 30).

Sharma played the waiting game, looking to see off the new ball. However, after doing all the hard work, he lost his wicket in the 16th over. The India captain perished to his Australian counterpart Pat Cummins.

It was a full-length delivery on the stumps. Sharma saw that as a scoring opportunity and looked to whip the ball towards the mid-wicket. The ball took the outside edge of his bat, as Mitchell Marsh took a sharp catch at gully.

This was the fourth time in five innings that Cummins claimed Sharma's wicket in the ongoing series. Australia drew first blood by sending back the seasoned opener early, taking an early advantage in the final innings of the Boxing Day Test, as India look to chase 340.

Here's a video of Sharma's dismissal:

Rohit Sharma's red-ball form has come under the scanner following a string of poor performances. He has scored just 31 runs across five innings at an average of 6.20 in the ongoing series.

India are required to chase down a tricky 340-run target in the Boxing Day Test. The visitors find themselves in a precarious position, as KL Rahul departed for a duck just four balls after Sharma's dismissal.

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"At some stage, that leniency has got to stop"- Michael Hussey on Rohit Sharma's form

During the Boxing Day Test, former Australia batter Michael Hussey opined that Rohit Sharma should be dropped from the team if he failed to score big in the side's second innings.

Hussey emphasized that the Indian team management have already given Sharma a long rope and that the time has come to look beyond him. Hussey also didn't seem too impressed by the 37-year-old's captaincy on this tour.

Speaking on Fox Sports, the cricketer-turned-commentator said (quoted as saying by Hindustan Times):

"I think they've given him (Rohit Sharma) that leniency already because he's been a great player for India. At some stage that leniency has got to stop and it stops after this Test match unless he makes runs in the second innings. I don't think you have to say 'where are you at?' You can see where he's at."

"The numbers don't lie. They've had a few tough wickets to bat on previous to this tour in India but you just see even his movement in the field (is not good). Even tactically he's been off the pace as well and he gets a used by date, everyone does," he added.

At the time of writing, India were 28/2 after 21 overs, still needing 312 runs for victory in the Melbourne Test.