During the fourth AUS vs IND Test on Sunday, Indian captain Rohit Sharma couldn’t hide his frustration after Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped a straightforward catch, gifting Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne a crucial lifeline.
The incident unfolded on Day 4 of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Akash Deep bowled a back-of-a-length delivery to Labuschagne, who was batting on 46.
The ball took a thick edge and sailed towards the gully, where Jaiswal was positioned.
Unfortunately, the young Indian batter misjudged the ball and dropped what seemed to be an easy catch.
Rohit Sharma, visibly upset, expressed his disappointment with animated gestures, while wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant consoled Jaiswal, who appeared disheartened by the mistake.
Labuschagne capitalized on the reprieve, extending his innings to 70 runs in Australia’s second inning of this pivotal Test match.
Earlier in the game, Jaiswal had also missed a chance to dismiss Usman Khawaja, though the left-handed batter failed to make a significant impact and was dismissed for 21.
Rohit Sharma’s heated reaction sparked debate among cricket experts, with former Australian cricketer Mike Hussey emphasizing the need for a more supportive approach towards younger players.
Hussey remarked, “While I understand the pressure, it’s essential for a leader to maintain composure and encourage players. No one drops a catch intentionally.”
As the fourth Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy remains a crucial decider with the series tied at 1-1, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s fielding errors and Rohit Sharma’s visible frustration have become key talking points.
