Melbourne: It was a slow trudge out, with head bowed, for India’s captain Rohit Sharma. The imagery just fit. He had just been dismissed for 3, trying to play a tentative pull shot that was a cross between something you play in gully cricket and how a tailender usually responds to a short ball.

Similar criticism for Rohit's choice of shot came from former Australia cricketer Darren Lehmann. "If he's going to hit it, hit it Rohit. You're a class player, you should actually take that on. Plenty of room in the outfield, take it on," he said on ABC Sport.

India captain Rohit Sharma failed with the bat on his return as opener on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Pat Cummins removed Rohit for 3 in the post-lunch session.

Rohit Sharma faces a crucial juncture in his cricket career, with the Melbourne Test possibly determining his future as India's Test captain. Former England spinner Monty Panesar asserts that these four innings could either save Rohit's career or lead to his retirement,