'Rohit Sharma was clueless'- Monty Panesar raises leadership questions after India's loss in Hyderabad Test

The recent defeat in Hyderabad was one one of India's worst performances in a home Test in a long time. India, buoyed by a 190-run first-innings lead, seemed poised for a dominant win. However, fate had other plans. Enter Tom Hartley, England's unlikely hero. The debutant spinner, with his guile and relentless accuracy, ripped through the Indian batting order, claiming a mesmerizing 7/62 as India failed to chase a target of 231. 

While Hartley dealt the killer blow, Ollie Pope, England's vice-captain, emerged as the architect of this stunning turnaround. His second-innings masterpiece, a masterful 196, had earlier propelled England to a formidable 420. His sublime knock helped the visitors wipe off the deficit and also construct a good total. Post the game, there has been a lot of criticism of India's performance which fans hope, was just an aberration.

India's game against spin wasn't at its best and the bowlers too, failed to remain accurate in the second innings. Skipper Rohit Sharma's tactics have also been questioned by fans and pundits alike. Now, former England spinner, Monty Panesar, who was a part of England's previous series win in India, has joined the bandwagon of those criticising Sharma.

"Rohit Sharma was clueless" - Monty Panesar

Speaking to ANI, Panesar observed that while Ollie Pope crafted a masterful innings for England, India's captain, Rohit Sharma, appeared uncertain in his tactics. Panesar further suggested that India, under Virat Kohli's leadership, might have displayed greater aggression and attempted to unsettle the English players with a more vocal presence on the field. hat if Virat Kohli was playing, he would have been in the faces of the England players. 

It is a very big victory, no one even imagined this was even possible. Everyone thought that England would lose after a 190 deficit but Ollie Pope had a brilliant inning one of the best innings we have seen in a long time and Rohit Sharma was clueless. India needs to stop giving the freedom that the England players are getting. If Virat Kohli was playing he would have been in the faces of these England players and told them 'Hey, do it again let's see how good you are," he said. 

In Panesar's words, the magnitude of England's triumph transcended a mere Test match win, echoing the elation of a World Cup conquest. He described it as one of England's most remarkable overseas victories, a testament to the grit and skill displayed by the team. "It was one of the most famous victories England have ever produced overseas. This is a big news in England. It feels like we have won the World Cup," he added.