Analysing Rohit Sharma’s poor Test record in South Africa

India skipper Rohit Sharma continues to have a poor Test record in South Africa. In the second innings, he was cleaned up by Kagiso Rabada for an eight-ball duck. With this, Sharma failed to cross even the 50-run mark, let alone play a massive innings. Meanwhile, talking about the record, he has played five Tests and has managed 128 runs averaging 12.80 with the best score of 47.

Breakdown of Rohit Sharma’s batting record in South Africa

1. Rohit Sharma played his maiden series in late 2013

Before India toured South Africa in 2013, the Asian side played a home series against the West Indies. During the Test series, Sachin Tendulkar bid adieu to international cricket while Sharma made his Test debut. After scoring two back-to-back hundreds, Sharma went to the rainbow nation with some confidence.

However, it was a different case for the Mumbaikar with the pitches being different to India and the bowling attack being much superior to the West Indies. In the two Tests he played against the Proteas, he managed 14, 6, 0, and 25 in the middle-order with the World Number One Test side losing the series by 1-0.

2. Rohit Sharma played two Tests before being dropped

In the 2017-18 series, India entered as the firm-favorites to win their maiden Test series in South Africa. The team entered the series with one of the best bowling attacks in their history. Also, they were the number one Test side. However, after losing the first two Tests, the dream diminished once again. Sharma played in these games in place of the then vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane.

However, the former failed to make the most of it and managed 11, 10, 10, and 47. Once again, he was batting in the middle order, unlike the white-ball games in which he opened the batting even at that point.

3. Rohit Sharma opens in the batting in the 2023-24 series but has disappointed once again

In the 2021-22 series, Sharma didn’t play due to a hamstring injury. However, this time around, he was expected to do well. However, in the ongoing first Test, he managed only 5 and 0 and on both occasions, he fell to Kagiso Rabada. Fans will be expecting Sharma to do well in the second and last Test.