But the most bewildering event was not that Rohit opened but the way he went about it. The shot he got out wasn't one of intent nor was he 'smashing' the ball. Rohit was slowing the movements and hesitant in the mind.
If the reason for his elevation was to bat with more freedom, as an attacking mindset can get the feet, hands, eyes sharper, the Indian captain should have tried that approach first in the middle order when the ball turns softer and isn't seaming around. Caution isn't working lower down, so let's try with some white-ball adventurism at the top - Test cricket doesn't work like that.
In case openers KL Rahul or Yashasvi Jaiswal had been struggling, Rohit's elevation would have made sense. But with his form, and more importantly the form and touch of the openers, the change of batting order wasn't really warranted.
This story is from the December 28, 2024 edition of Financial Express Pune.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 28, 2024 edition of Financial Express Pune.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Microsoft to spend $80 billion on AI data centers this year
MICROSOFT CORP PLANS to spend $80 billion this fiscal year building out data centers, underscoring the intense capital requirements of artificial intelligence.
Mike Johnson Re-elected US House Speaker
Republican Congressman Mike Johnson on Friday was re-elected as Speaker of the US House of Representatives with a narrow victory margin of three votes.
Rohit clears the air: Not going anywhere
Says those on outside can't influence when he stops playing
S Korea investigators ask acting prez to clear way for Yoon's arrest
SOUTH KOREAN INVESTIGATORS again asked the country's acting president on Saturday to order the presidential security service to comply with an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy: As Bumrah leaves, 'captain' Kohli calls the shots
Kohli took charge after Bumrah left bowling due to spasm
No jail time for Trump, suggests judge in US hush money case
Will keep fighting, says communications director Cheung
Big rockets, a telescope & big changes in space await in 2025
Some key events to look forward to in space & astronomy
The Fall season
Fun and games for the elite players, the Fall Series gave the fans plenty to watch
Worrying signs from the Arctic
Scientists say fires in the region could have major consequences
Dr Manmohan Singh, RIP
emissary he had deployed. Although sceptical, I bounded off to North Block and was ushered in. It was my first official meeting with the FM. I conveyed the request, not a direction, of the prime minister. Dr Singh was puzzled — I could see that on his face — by the message or, perhaps, the messenger. He listened politely and told me that the second step had already been taken within minutes of the markets opening at 10 am.