South Africa vs India 2023-2024
Team India batting coach Vikram Rathour backs Rohit Sharma after dismal performance during first Test against South Africa
India was able to make only 245 in their first innings against South Africa.
Vikram Rathour, the batting coach for Team India, has stood by captain Rohit Sharma after he was caught by Kagiso Rabada during an early attempt at a hook on the first day during the Centurion Test versus South Africa. As the Indian captain emphasises in playing the short ball, Rohit is frequently referred as being the best puller in the world, and Rathour said that the team management is going to back him in doing so.
When South Africa ordered India to bat first in difficult circumstances, captain Rohit (54) fell to Rabada, causing India to suffer a severe blow during the first session in the Boxing Day Test. The Proteas bowler sent a short ball to the Indian skipper, who could only make a successful catch to long leg.
The Indian captain received significant backlash for his stroke selection. Nevertheless, batting coach Rathour backed Rohit when he spoke at the conclusion of the first day’s play in Centurion.
He said, “Rohit, I mean, I have spoken about it earlier as well. This is the shot he believes in, this is the shot he scores a lot of runs with. This is his shot. So, he is going to play this shot.”
Vikram Rathour said, “Some days, it will come off. Some days, it won’t. So today, it didn’t. We can talk about it. On another day, he will hit for a six and everybody will say this is the shot he plays really well. We have heard people say he is the best puller in the world. He believes in it. We are okay, as a team management we are backing it.”
“It was a good recovery partnership” : Vikram Rathour
India lost 3/24 after being invited to bat first and had a terrible start. The visitors were buoyed by a fourth-wicket partnership of 68 runs. This partnership included Virat Kohli (38) as well as Shreyas Iyer (31) before Rahul led them beyond 200.
The former Team India opener spoke about the Kohli-Shreyas partnership. He said, “The condition was tough. After losing three wickets, it was a good recovery partnership from Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, they both have played well.”
