ND just like that Rohit Sharma was taking the long walk back at the Gabba. For the third time in this series, the Indian captain had failed with the bat, and this one, on yet another overcast morning in Brisbane, felt the longest. It felt like he didn't want to leave, nor did he have a clue as to why it was happening again and again. There was a sense of frustration and helplessness as Sharma dropped off his gloves at the boundary before going into the dugout and dressing room.
Once again, Sharma had gotten out trying to defend a ball just outside off-stump. It was his chance to own up and rescue the team, especially after the way things went in the first innings with the ball. But his poor run since the home season began does not seem to be stopping as India, trailing by 371 runs when Sharma fell, were in deep trouble.
Sharma, meanwhile, has bigger concerns. There have been multiple theories about the causation and correlation between his dip in red-ball form and Test captaincy. However, while trying to understand them one term comes to mind - Post hoc ergo proper hoc. The phrase translated from Latin means 'after this, therefore because of this,' the fallacy in assuming that one event causes another because it happened before the other.
Sharma's poor form might not be the root cause behind his 'passive' captaincy and vice versa might not be true either. The Indian captain, in red-ball cricket, has always been the way he is but when they play at home their resources make up for it. R Ashwin, on many occasions, has thinking the game is gone but he and the spinners (or batters) bounce back to win at home. And when a team wins, captaincy seldom gets questioned. Sharma's first stint at captaincy in overseas Tests was the 2023 WTC final against Australia and the cracks were clearly visible. It has continued in South Africa, Adelaide and Brisbane as well.
This story is from the December 18, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express Tirunelveli.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 18, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express Tirunelveli.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
I Know How to Play Real Characters
Jennifer Lopez speaks to Katie Ellis on how Unstoppable made her realise that she can overcome anything in life
Of Our Non-violent Ancestors
Pattanaik provides a comprehensive insight into the mysterious world of the Harappan civilisation
The Corrosive Power of Pride
Pride fosters a sense of superiority that harms relationships, distorts the mind, and impedes personal and spiritual growth
Market on the Sands
The Rathgama Wella Fish Market
Market on the Sands
The Rathgama Wella Fish Market
Stop Inane and Diversionary Debates, and Focus on What Really Matters
Acute Angle
Stepping Across the Worry Lines
The Raghu Dixit Project launches a new album Shakkar as a vernacular statement about India and diversity
Untangled Threads He Weaves
An embroiderer who grew up poor is a celebrity in demand with collectors and artists
Every Woman's Brushstrokes
A beautiful blue and pink-hued sky surrounded by lush greenery. Within this is a tree with specks of orange and yellow, besides which is a bed where a woman is sleeping her flowing tresses falling into the foliage.
2032 Olympics: Pause & Effect
Since the time it was announced as host city for 2032 Olympics, the road so far has been far from ideal for Brisbane and Queensland. Uncertainty over venues and spiralling costs have led to some confusion. With the 100-day review nearing completion, Gomesh S finds out how the city is gearing up for 2032 Summer Games...
