At Eden Park in Auckland on November 4, India chased 187 against New Zealand in the first ODI of the series. Rohit Sharma’s innings lasted just six balls. On the final delivery of the opening over, he attempted an elevated drive over mid-off but could not time the shot cleanly. The ball went in the air and was caught at mid-off, ending his 39-match unbeaten streak in ODI cricket.
This was Rohit’s first duck in the format since the 2023 ODI World Cup, when Josh Hazlewood dismissed him for a six-ball duck against Australia in Chennai. It was also his first-ever duck against New Zealand and the 17th of his ODI career, which now spans 292 matches. Kyle Jamieson had now dismissed Rohit three times in six ODI meetings between the two players.
Former India spinner Murali Kartik acknowledged that Rohit would naturally feel disappointed about the dismissal but emphasised that such moments are part of the game for aggressive batters. Kartik noted that Rohit is known for his trademark pull shot and his elevated drive over mid-off, and on this occasion he attempted the latter shot without success.
“I suppose so, in hindsight, he must be feeling that. But there are certain shots which certain people play, and that is a shot which he plays as well. We always talk about the trademark pull shot, where he has ample time to hit it wherever he wants, but there are also days where he plays the lovely elevated drive over mid-off, and that is what he tried, and it did not come off. It is just one of those days, I don’t read too much into those,’ Kartik said on Cricbuzz.
How did Ambati Rayudu view the early wicket?
Former India batter Ambati Rayudu similarly resisted drawing broad conclusions from the single dismissal, pointing out that aggressive batters naturally want to express themselves when they get limited time at the crease. Rayudu suggested that the match situation might have unfolded differently had early wickets fallen to India’s middle order.
“In hindsight, yes. But I would not read too much into it because these guys also want to go out there and express themselves in whatever little time they get. I am sure, if one or two wickets fell earlier, then things would have been different, Shreyas and KL would have stepped up and played an innings of substance. So, we cannot say anything at this point in time,’ Rayudu said.
Despite Rohit’s early dismissal, India successfully chased down the target. The team won by five wickets, completing the chase in 22.4 overs with five wickets remaining.
