"End of India": Kohli, Rohit's poor show sparks concern in pink-ball Test

India’s hopes for a comeback in the ongoing pink-ball Test against Australia at Adelaide were dashed as the top order failed to deliver under challenging conditions. The spotlight was on senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, but their dismissals for single-digit scores have raised questions about the team's ability to handle pressure in critical matches.

On Day 2, after Australia secured a lead of 157 runs, India needed a strong batting display to remain in the contest. However, the Indian top order crumbled, leaving the team in a precarious position. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the mainstays of Indian batting, struggled to negotiate the swinging pink ball.

Virat Kohli, coming into the game after a much-awaited century in Perth, was dismissed for just 11 runs. Attempting to play outside the off-stump, Kohli edged a delivery from Scott Boland to the wicketkeeper. His recurring struggles with the fourth-fifth stump line remain a concern, especially in overseas conditions.

Skipper Rohit Sharma fared no better, managing just six runs in the second innings. Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, bowled a good-length delivery that angled in, leaving Rohit clueless and bowling him out. Rohit had earlier scored just three runs in the first innings, failing to anchor the innings when his team needed him most.

Mark Nicholas, commentating during Rohit’s dismissal, remarked, “End of India, end of Rohit Sharma,” summing up the dismay of Indian fans. India ended Day 2 at 128/5, trailing Australia by 29 runs. Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy remained unbeaten at 28 and 15, keeping slim hopes alive for India.

Earlier in the day, Travis Head’s blistering 140 off 141 balls powered Australia to 337 in their first innings. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj shone with the ball, taking four wickets each, but their efforts were overshadowed by India’s dismal batting performance.

India now faces an uphill battle to set a defendable target and avoid another defeat in overseas conditions.