Vikram Rathour supports Rohit Sharma after criticism faced by India’s skipper over shot-selection

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has been facing criticism after the team lost the 1^st Test. South Africa won the Centurion Test by an innings and 32 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series. The second game of the series will be played in Cape Town starting on the 3^rd of January.

In the first innings, Rohit Sharma was out for just five runs after he was dismissed by Kagiso Rabada. The nature of the dismissal saw many fans criticize the Indian skipper for giving his wicket away.

Batting coach Vikram Rathour was asked to comment on the entire issue. The former India opener turned coach has come out in defense of Rohit Sharma. As per the 54-year, the Team Management is backing the Indian opening batter to come in the next game.

Rohit Sharma finds backing from Team Management –

Speaking to the media after the end of the first day’s play, Vikram Rathour was asked about Rohit Sharma. Team India's skipper was soundly called out for giving Nandre Burger an easy catch with his pull shot.

India’s batting coach said “Rohit, I mean, I have spoken about it earlier as well. This is the shot he believes in, this is the shot he scores lots of runs with. This is his shot. So he is going to play this shot”

In the 2^nd innings, Kagiso Rabada accounted for the Indian skipper yet again this time for a 8-ball duck. The 28-year-old saw the ball swing and hit the top of the off-stump to leave Rohit Sharma speechless.

Putting his weight behind Rohit, India’s batting coach also said “Some days it will come off. Some days it won’t. So today, it didn’t. We can talk about it. On another day, he will hit a six and everybody will say he plays well. We have heard people say he is the best puller in the world. He believes in it. We are okay, as a team management we are backing it”

The nature of loss during the Centurion test will rankle team India with just two batters reaching double figures. The pace and bounce seemed to hurt the confidence of the batters while a few players came up with rank bad shots.