Former South Africa cricketer Daryll Cullinan has made a shocking claim about India’s captain Rohit Sharma. In a comparison with Virat Kohli, Cullinan called Rohit an “overweight” cricketer and someone and raised questions about his physical condition.
Rohit Sharma has been under huge pressure recently for his poor Test form. He is currently playing in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia but hasn’t looked in great touch with the bat.
Rohit scored 3 and 6 across both the innings of the Adelaide Test as he looked woefully out of form. Kohli, too has been troubled in the ongoing series and has found it tough to get going. The poor form of India’s two premier batters is a huge cause of concern for India.
Also read: Virat Kohli to captain India in Tests again? Training footage from Brisbane sends shockwaves
Daryll Cullinan labels the Indian captain as “overweight”
While speaking to Inside Sport, Daryll Cullinan was asked about Rohit Sharma’s recent form with the bat. Cullinan called Rohit “overweight” and compared India’s captain with Virat Kohli.
Daryl Cullinan even claimed that Rohit is not in a good physical condition to play a big five-match Test series like the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to his poor fitness.
“Look at Rohit, then at Virat. Notice the difference in their physical condition. Rohit is overweight, and not a long-term cricketer anymore. He is not in a good physical condition to play in a four or a five-match Test series,” Cullinan said.
Rohit Sharma’s recent Test record
Ever since the start of India’s home Test season, Rohit Sharma has reached the fifty-run mark just once so far. In the home Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand, he scored a total of 133 runs in five Tests at an average of just 13.10.
Rohit missed the first Test of the ongoing Test series against Australia in Perth due to the birth of his second child. In his absence, Jasprit Bumrah led the team to a massive win by 295 runs.
Rohit Sharma came back for the second Test to lead the team. However, he didn’t have a great impact with the bat and as a captain. His decisions on the field were questionable and he was even asked to leave the captaincy.
Poor form of Virat Kohli
On the other hand, Virat Kohli too hasn’t been in great form with the bat and looked all at sea in Adelaide. But Kohli has been able to maintain his fitness levels and looks in great shape.
However, his form with the bat has been a worry for India. Kohli scored 7 and 11 across both the innings in Adelaide and was dismissed to his old weakness outside off stump. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are world-class batters and their form will be key for India in the remaining matches of the series.
The series is currently level 1-1 with three more Tests to be played. The third Test of the series will be played on December 14 at Gabba, Brisbane. The last two Tests will be played in Melbourne and Sydney respectively.
