However, Sharma’s struggles on South African soil are not new. Five years ago, Sharma could only rack up 37 runs in 2 innings at an average of 18.50 in the ODI series. In Tests, he played four innings and scored 45 at an average of 11.25. In 2018, not much has changed except that Rabada has made Rohit Sharma his bunny.
It all began in the first Test at Cape Town where Rabada dismissed Sharma for 11. In the second Test, Rabada once again found Rohit’s number and scalped him in both the innings. In the ODIs, Rabada went on to dismiss Rohit in all the three one-day internationals (including two caught behinds) before getting him out caught and bowled for five on Saturday.
With 40 runs in four matches so far and a miserable average of 10 in the ODI series, Rohit Sharma will be under scrutiny for his poor performance. But what must concern the Indian think tank is his repeated failures against the number one bowler in ODI cricket. While playing rash shots has been one problem, another issue is his temperament, which continues to betray him.
