Adelaide [Australia], December 8: Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden shared his perspective on Rohit Sharma’s dismissal and the inherent difficulties of playing under the lights in pink-ball Tests. Known for his vivid analogies, Hayden compared Sharma’s elegant batting style to “reclining in a leather lounge chair with a cup of coffee,” celebrating the uniqueness that cricketers bring to Test cricket.
“Rohit Sharma plays cricket like he’s sitting on a leather lounge chair with a coffee in hand. You’ve got to admire the different styles in Test cricket. Virat Kohli is very hard at the ball, a busy player who likes to get amongst it. Rohit’s style is more effortless—he’s in the category of Mark Waugh and Shubman Gill, making cricket look easy,” Hayden remarked on Star Sports.
Defending Rohit’s Dismissal
Hayden defended Sharma’s dismissal in the second innings, where he was bowled for 6 by Australian captain Pat Cummins. He highlighted the technical challenges posed by the pink ball, particularly under lights.
“Don’t be disappointed. Rohit got an absolute jaffer of a delivery and a tough sequence of balls during his time at the crease. The pink ball under lights is a nightmare for batters—it exposes everyone, no matter how skilled,” Hayden explained.
He further emphasized the challenges of batting in night conditions, noting that pink-ball cricket often creates exaggerated difficulties even for experienced players. “It’s horrendously difficult. Over the years, we’ve seen how the pink ball at night tests every batter’s technique,” he added.
India Struggles Under Pressure
Rohit’s early dismissal added to India’s woes, as they ended Day 2 at 128/5, trailing Australia by 29 runs. With Australia maintaining a dominant position, India faces an uphill battle to avoid another pink-ball Test defeat at Adelaide.