At least they gave it a go. But with India facing a mighty tough challenge for survival in a dramatic fourth Test finale against Australia’s relentless attack on a tricky Melbourne surface, their aging legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma just couldn’t summon the brilliance of old when it mattered the most.
They both failed, once again, and it was left to India’s younger batters to try to thwart Australia with 23-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal doing his best with a gutsy 84 off 208 deliveries, but it was in vain.
India needed their veteran stars to step up on the fifth day with the series locked at 1-1 apiece and their World Tour Championship final hopes effectively on the line.
With 74,000 in attendance at the iconic MCG, in a Test match that has gripped the country like it rarely has in recent times as it broke attendance and broadcast records, the stage was set for the 37-year-old Rohit who in this Test had returned back to his favored opener’s spot in place of in-form KL Rahul.
Rohit, India’s captain, has had a rotten year with the bat, but was disciplined early against the seaming new ball. He looked focused and steeled for a big innings having looked incredibly rusty when he returned to the side after missing India’s first Test victory in Perth due to the birth of his second child.