IPL 2023: “It Wasn’t a Captain’s Shot” – Sunil Gavaskar Slams Rohit Sharma

Sunil Gavaskar lashed out at Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma for playing an irresponsible shot in Mumbai Indians’ (MI) six-wicket defeat at the hands of MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai as well. Rohit came to bat at No.3 and got out on a duck as Deepak Chahar removed him in the third over.

Rohit tried to play a scoop shot and Ravindra Jadeja took a simple catch in front of the short third man and sent him in. When Rohit Sharma got out, MI were at 14 for the loss of three wickets in 2.5 overs as well. Gavaskar also said that the MI skipper should have got his eyes in before going for playing an extravagant shot.

“It just doesn’t seem as if he is in the game. I may be completely wrong, but the shot he played wasn’t a captain’s shot. A captain repairs the innings knowing that the team is in trouble, plays a decent knock and gets the team to a good total. Two wickets gone for not too many in the power-play and you are not in form,” Sunil Gavaskar was quoted as saying to Star Sports.

IPL 2023: Mumbai Indians failed to win the game

However, Rohit Sharma also made a record for the most ducks (16) in the IPL. His scores in his last four innings read 2, 3, 0, 0. Gavaskar also added that Rohit could think of taking a break and coming back refreshed in the league as well.

“If you are in form, I still understand the scoop shot, but it’s a huge shot when you have got two ducks in the previous game. So, you want to play and get yourself off the mark, get some circulation in the legs, running quick ones and twos and then go for the big ones. Maybe, he is preoccupied and maybe a little break would do him good. But it’s for him and the MI team management to take a call,” Sunil Gavaskar concluded.