Melbourne: Rohit Sharma, India’s captain, made a slow exit with his head down. It was a fitting scene. He had just scored a mere 3 runs, attempting a hesitant pull shot that looked more like something you'd see in a casual street game than a professional match.

The delivery from Pat Cummins was well outside off-stump, short enough to hit, but maybe Rohit's mind was a bit clouded. By the time he figured out how to play it, it was already too late. He ended up misplaying the shot, and Scott Boland at mid-off easily snagged the catch.

Rohit had taken on the opener's role, pushing KL Rahul down the batting order, only to get out playing a shot that used to be his forte. Should we criticize him? Not just yet. Let’s save that for the lackluster captaincy displayed in the first session of Day 2 at the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

To kick things off, India went with Mohammed Siraj to start the day instead of the expected Jasprit Bumrah. The reasoning behind this choice wasn’t entirely clear, but it allowed Australia and Cummins to get off to a solid start. The first over cost 9 runs, setting the stage for what was to come.

Sharma kept the fast bowlers going for too long, and in that opening hour, Australia racked up 60 runs. With Australia beginning the day at 311/6, this was a crucial stretch in the match. Even considering Steve Smith's presence, there was a noticeable lack of aggressive field placements to challenge Cummins. It felt like singles were available everywhere.

While it’s tempting to just hand the ball to Bumrah and count on his talent, Sharma really needed to get more out of his other bowlers. India often found themselves reacting instead of taking the initiative, which was what they really needed to do.

When Sharma finally brought Ravindra Jadeja into the game, he at least offered a different challenge to the batters. However, by that time, the Aussies were already in control. Smith and Cummins put together a solid 100 runs off 128 balls, and just when they seemed ready to ramp things up, the partnership came to an end.

Jadeja managed to take a wicket, but the bigger issue was how passive India appeared on the field. A couple of early wickets could have sparked a comeback and boosted their spirits, but the visitors just seemed to be sitting back.

While commentating on SEN Cricket, former Australian opener Simon Katich remarked, “India have been completely outplayed here, starting with Rohit. Their captaincy has been reactive rather than proactive, and they look completely out of sorts. Australia is really taking it to them.”

Former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist had some strong opinions during the broadcast. He drew a comparison between India’s performance in Perth and what they showed in Melbourne. “Bumrah was leading the team there, and whenever he faced uncertainty, he relied on himself, and he got the job done. I found his captaincy quite impressive,” Gilchrist remarked.

India had a firm grip on the game in Perth, capitalizing on crucial moments, while in Melbourne, they did the opposite. They had a golden opportunity to take control on the morning of Day 2 but let Australia dominate instead. Considering how Bumrah handled things in Perth, it makes you wonder if he would have taken a different approach.

It’s possible that Sharma’s own struggles are clouding his judgment. Captains often need to back their instincts with solid performances. If you’re not delivering, your words lose their impact. While Sharma has been a steady presence as captain and has a calming effect, the stats just don’t support it. In five innings during the series, the 37-year-old has managed to score only 22 runs.

Sharma had a solid strategy for Cummins, placing fielders on the boundary for the last two batsmen. This wasn’t the boldness he expects from his players; it felt different, and he should recognize that.

The bowlers were inconsistent, which didn’t help the situation. MS Dhoni would have instructed his bowlers to tighten up and focus on minimizing runs. Virat Kohli would have pushed for more aggression from his squad. But Rohit’s approach seemed a bit muddled.

It felt like we were witnessing the final moments of Sharma’s captaincy. If India doesn’t pull off a significant turnaround in the rest of the series, that feeling might just turn into reality.

Read Also: 'Rohit Sharma Is Finished': Calls for Retirement Grow as Fans Lose Patience

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