Related Links: Rohit Sharma Statistics and Player Page | India Tour of Australia 2014/15 – Results and Scorecards
Before heading to Australia for the four-Test series, Rohit Sharma had created history by blasting 264 runs in a one-day match against the Sri Lankans at the Eden Gardens. The innings made him the first player to score two double hundreds in one-day cricket, and the score of 264 is now the highest ever in ODIs. The knock would have given Rohit Sharma the much needed confidence going into the Test Down Under, although it was clear that doing well in the Tests in Australia would be a completely different and tougher challenge for him.
As things have panned out, Rohit Sharma has failed miserably and question marks are now being raised about his spot in the side. It is no secret that Rohit Sharma is an obvious talent, but the performances have just not been there to speak for his ability. He was unlucky in the second innings of the Test at Gabba in Brisbane, but it was a failure he brought upon himself by not grabbing his opportunities in the previous three knocks. He got starts in two of them, and looked in reasonably good touch as well, but he ideally should have carried on.
If we look back at ‘Hitman’ Rohit Sharma’s scores in the series, he scored 43 in the first innings and Adelaide and only 6 in the second. At the Gabba in Brisbane, he made 32 in the first essay and a duck in the second. This means he has only totalled 81 runs in four innings combined, seven less than what Mitchell Johnson got at the Gabba in one knock. Considering the unfortunate manner in which he got out on Saturday, he might get another chance in the Boxing Day Test. But, Rohit Sharma still needs to score another 183 runs to equal the 264 runs he made in one innings in India.
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 20: Mitchell Johnson of Australia celebrates with team mates after dismissing Rohit Sharma of India during day four of the 2nd Test match between Australia and India at The Gabba on December 20, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
We wonder whether Rohit Sharma can manage 264 runs in the entire series. It wouldn’t be a great achievement in any sense, but it could be an indicator of how vast the gap between two Rohit Sharmas is – one who made 264 in one ODI innings, and the other to struggle to score as many in a few Tests put together.