Mark Waugh, the Aussie cricket legend, has thrown down the gauntlet to India’s captain Rohit Sharma, stating he has just one innings left to turn his career around. This remark comes as Rohit struggles with his batting in Test cricket and faces criticism for his captaincy during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series in Australia.

Since September, Rohit has managed to score only 155 runs in 14 innings, averaging a mere 11.07, with just one half-century to his name. Out of those runs, he only managed 21 in his four innings on the current Australian tour. Initially, he batted at No. 6 to keep the in-form KL Rahul as an opener, but after disappointing scores of 3, 6, and 10 in the Tests in Adelaide and Brisbane, he switched back to opening in Melbourne, yet his luck didn’t change, and he struggled again.

On top of his batting woes, Rohit has also faced criticism for his captaincy in the last three Tests.

I’d be telling Rohit, “Thanks for all you’ve done!”

Waugh, chatting with Fox Cricket, had a strong message for Sharma. He mentioned that if he were the Indian selector, he would have told Sharma that the second innings in Melbourne was his last shot to keep his career in the traditional format alive. If he didn’t perform, Waugh indicated he would drop Rohit from the lineup for the final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground next month and would choose Jasprit Bumrah as the new captain.

"If I were a selector right now, it all hinges on what happens in the second innings. If he doesn’t score runs and we head to Sydney for a crucial Test, I’d have to say, 'Rohit, thanks for everything, you’ve been an amazing player, but we’re bringing in Jasprit Bumrah as captain for the SCG, and that’s a wrap for your career,'" he explained.

"... it would be a really tough way for Rohit Sharma to go out ... in his last 14 innings, he’s averaging 11, so it’s clear the signs show he might be past his prime. This happens to every player. All great players eventually reach the end of their journey."

Mike Hussey, a fellow Aussie and former cricketer, chimed in by questioning whether Rohit needs to be asked about his mental and physical state during this rough patch. Waugh believes the answer is clear in Rohit's batting stats.

"You don’t really need to ask 'where are you at?' Just look at the numbers," he pointed out.

"The stats tell the story. Sure, he’s faced some tricky pitches before this tour in India, but you can see his movement on the field isn’t great. Tactically, he seems a bit off too, and everyone has a shelf life.

"I think people have been lenient with him because he’s been such a fantastic player for India.

"But that leniency can’t last forever, and it’s going to run out after this Test unless he steps up in the second innings."

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