IND vs ENG 2024: Rohit Sharma Surrounded by Eight India Players Before Going for Review

After three absorbing three Tests in the ongoing series between India and England, the two heavyweights are clashing at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi for the crucial fourth match which got underway from Friday.

England’s decision to bat first backfired as debutant Akash Deep ripped the top order apart in a magical seven-over burst in the morning session on Day 1. His first wicket would have been Zak Crawley as he sent the England opener’s off-stump cartwheeling only for the third umpire to adjudge it as a no-ball for overstepping.

Also Read: IND vs ENG 4th Test Day 2 Highlights

However, Deep’s persistence paid off as Ben Duckett nicked one off the outside edge in his fifth over (10th over of the innings). The Bengal pacer followed it up by sending Ollie Pope back to the hut by trapping him plumb in front after two deliveries. Initially given not out, captain Rohit Sharma signalled for a DRS, and the decision was overturned as ball-tracking showed three reds.

On the very next ball, faced by the out-of-form Joe Root, Akash Deep’s delivery hit the batsman’s front pad. The bowler and the rest of close-in fielders appealed loudly as it appeared close to the naked eye but the umpire turned it down.

Soon India captain Rohit Sharma was surrounded by as many as eight India players trying to convince him to go for the review.

The likes of wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Sarfaraz Khan, Akash Deep, and Rajat Patidar – were involved in the discussions, prompting Rohit to eventually go for the review.

However, TV replay showed that the ball’s impact was outside the off stump. India ended up losing the review with the on-field decision upheld.

India burned through their three reviews by the 60th over of the England innings.

Dinesh Karthik, the veteran wicketkeeper who was on commentary duties for this game, suggested Rohit should not cave in to the pressure of his teammates and should be rational instead.

“You can see how all the players go towards Rohit. Each one has an opinion. At times it is very important to be rational, have a couple of players you discuss it with. Nine players walking up to the captain is not how it should be,” Dinesh Karthik said on air.