'Very disappointed by his shot selection' - VVS Laxman after Rohit Sharma gets dismissed playing a pull shot

Cricketer-turned-expert VVS Laxman expressed his displeasure on India opener Rohit Sharma after he yet again got out to a short ball trap set by England fast bowler Mark Wood on day four of the Lord’s Test match. Wood continuously kept bowling short before Sharma finally gave in when he mistimed a pull shot straight into the hands of Moeen Ali at deep square leg. Laxman felt it was England’s plan was to bowl short-pitched stuff to Sharma who, is known to be a compulsive hooker and puller of the ball.

The former India batter felt the 34-year-old should not have gotten out in such circumstances, considering the vast amount of experience he has in playing the red-ball game. Sharma was also out in the same manner in the first Test match at Trent Bridge for 36 runs.

Often there is a criticism attached in his batting of throwing away good starts due to playing the pull or hook shorts in the Test format. This is the fifth instance of the right-hand batter getting out in such a manner and, Laxman questioned his shot selection while speaking to ESPNcricinfo.

“Rohit Sharma has let himself down. We have seen him get out in that fashion in the first Test in Nottingham as well. Sometimes your favorite stroke can lead to your downfall. In the very same over, he got a beautiful six-over fine leg. When the opposition captain makes a change, it is very clear that it is their line of attack and they want Rohit Sharma to play (a particular shot). It was a trap for Rohit Sharma and, he, unfortunately, fell into that. He is a much more experienced player than what he saw with that shot selection.

VVS Laxman feels Rohit Sharma should have batted more carefully

Before Sharma got out for 21 runs, India also lost the wicket of in-form KL Rahul earlier for five runs. Laxman felt Sharma should have cashed in on the start once he was set.

“After Rahul got out, it was very important for Rohit Sharma to carry on. The way he was batting, there were some beautiful drives. He was timing the ball really well. Rohit Sharma needed to carry on his good form. Very disappointed with that shot selection from Rohit Sharma.”