Rohit, Dhawan need to reinvent themselves

Tags: India tour of New Zealand, 2014, India, New Zealand, Rohit Gurunath Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan

Published on: Jan 26, 2014

2013 was a splendid year for India. There were many reasons for the same, but the key factor was the partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, which saw India get off to many spectacular starts.

2013 was a splendid year for India. There were many reasons for the same, but the key factor was the partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, which saw India get off to many spectacular starts. This resulted in many memorable victories both in Tests and ODIs. It all began when they joined forces as an opening combination during the victorious Champions Trophy campaign and went on to star in series wins against Australia and West Indies as well. While these triumphs were praiseworthy, it must be noted that most of those efforts came at home.

The true test of a batsman comes when he plays away from home. Of course, brilliant performances at home cannot be written off as fluke, but for an international cricket to earn respect, he must perform in varied conditions. As of now Dhawan and Rohit have failed to do the same. In South Africa, they failed to provide India bright starts like they had done for a majority of 2013. The case has been the same in New Zealand as well so far. Both have got starts a number of times, but are yet to register even a half-century in either Tests for ODIs ever since the South Africa series began.

Going on an all-out attack had been the key to Dhawan’s success throughout last year. But, against extra pace and the moving ball, he has failed to modify his game. The short ball has proved to be the left- hander’s downfall on many occasions in the recent past. Dhawan has made an effort to go after the short ball without getting into any sort of position, as a result of which he has ended up skying the ball, which has often not even got past mid-on. While attacking gives him his best chance of succeeding, he needs to figure out a way to play a longer innings.

’s failure is even more worrying. He has been part of international cricket for well over half a decade, but yet he batted in South Africa as if he was making his debut. With Rohit, it is more a case of mental preparedness than technique. Some of his dismissals, like the one when he shouldered arms to a straight ball in South Africa, point to the fact that the pressure of a tense situation can get to him. Unless Rohit works on this aspect of his game, opposition bowlers with target him.

As a pair, Dhawan and Rohit need to get their act together in the last two ODIs, otherwise India might have to considering altering the combination. They showed signs of promise at Auckland, when they featured in a breezy half-century partnership, but just when the team needed to carry on both departed. It is not difficult to figure out that attack is the best mode of success for the duo. At the same time, they need to make certain adjustments in their game, which will enhance their chances of playing long innings’ once again.

--By A Cricket Analyst

Related News