Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting criticized Rohit Sharma’s shot selection when the Indian captain was dismissed after scoring only three runs while opening on the second day of the fourth Test match at the MCG on Friday.

Rohit played a half-hearted pull shot and ballooned the ball to Scott Boland while facing his counterpart Pat Cummins. The right-hander decided to promote himself as an opener despite returning with scores of 3, 6, and 10 while batting at number six in the three innings of the series.

Ponting said it was a lazy shot from Rohit and he was not switched on, which led to his downfall.

Ricky Ponting said on Channel 7, “That’s just a lazy, not switched on, not up for the moment type of shot. He’s been known as one of the best hookers and pullers of the ball since he’s made his debut but that’s just not there. It’s nothing. It’s not committed, not really looking to be aggressive, he’s just looking to tap it on the head.”

“Might have held in the wicket yes, it might have seamed away from him a fraction. But if you’re going to survive against this Australian attack, you’ve got to be switched on. You’ve got to be making good decisions. If you’re not, they’ll knock you over every time.”

Rohit has managed only 22 runs in four innings of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar as he has looked at sea against the Australian bowlers.

Before the Boxing-Day Test match, Rohit admitted that he hasn’t batted well in the series.

“I have not batted well. There’s no harm in accepting that. But I know what’s in my mind, how I’m preparing myself. All those boxes are very much ticked. It’s just about spending as much time as possible, which I’m pretty sure I’m just there. As long as my mind, my body, my feet are moving well, I’m pretty happy with how things are panning out for me. Sometimes those numbers can tell you that it’s been a while since he’s got big runs.”

India are 159-5 after Australia posted 474 runs in the first innings of the fourth Test.