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Rohit is overweight and a flat-track bully: Former South Africa cricketer

Writer's picture: Stuud SourenStuud Souren

Updated: 12 Dec 2024 | 08:00 PM Follow Us on Google News



Indian captain Rohit Sharma is under scrutiny yet again, and this time, it’s former South African batter Daryll Cullinan who hasn’t held back. After a dismal run with the bat, where Rohit has managed just 142 runs at an average of 11.83 in his last six Tests, Cullinan’s critique comes as a harsh reality check for the Indian skipper.

Comparing Rohit’s fitness to Virat Kohli’s, Cullinan remarked, “Look at Rohit, then at Virat. Notice the difference in their physical condition. Rohit is overweight, and not a long-term cricketer anymore. Rohit is not in a good physical condition for the hard grind of a four or a five-match Test series.”

While Rohit has had moments of brilliance in his career, his numbers this year paint a grim picture. In 23 innings, he has accumulated 597 runs at an average of 27.14. More concerningly, his struggles against the short ball and in overseas conditions have been evident.

Cullinan didn’t mince words when he called Rohit a “flat-track bully.” He added, “I think Rohit is a flat-track bully. Let’s look at his record outside India. Every time he has been to South Africa, I’ve clearly got the feeling that he does not like the short ball.”

His demotion in the batting order to No.6 in the second Test against Australia raised eyebrows, especially when India needed leadership at the top. Cullinan questioned this move, saying, “(I did not like) the fact that he’s in the middle-order now. He is an opener. He must come and lead from the front.”

The Indian team has been underwhelming in Tests recently, losing their last four matches under Rohit’s captaincy. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tied at 1-1, the spotlight is firmly on the skipper as India heads to the Gabba for the third Test, starting December 14.

The road ahead for Rohit is challenging, and one wonders if this criticism will fuel a turnaround or mark the beginning of an inevitable transition.



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