India’s batting coach, Vikram Rathour, has staunchly supported Rohit Sharma’s Test cricket batting style, particularly his use of pull shots. Despite criticism following Rohit’s dismissal on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa, Rathour emphasized that the pull shot has historically been successful for Sharma and remains a crucial part of his repertoire.
While Rohit seemed in control initially, attempting to dominate, he lost his wicket early to a bouncer from Kagiso Rabada in the 5th over while trying to play his favourite pull shot.
Rather than clearing the boundary which he normally does to any pull shot, he instead found fielder Nandre Burger there and departed after scoring just 5 runs.
Despite the setback, Rathour underlined the importance of Rohit’s pull and hook shots in his batting approach, noting that Sharma believes these shots are productive for him. Rathour expressed full support from the team management, stating, “We are okay, as a team management, we are backing it.”
“Some days, it will come off. Some days, it won’t. So today, it didn’t. We can talk about it. On another day, he will hit for a six and everybody will say this is the shot he plays really well. We have heard people say he is the best puller in the world,” he further stated after the conclusion of day 1 of the first Test between India and South Africa.
