India’s Test captain Rohit Sharma is going through a rough patch, struggling to make significant contributions with the bat. His poor form in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy has raised questions about his place in the team and his role as skipper. Sourav Ganguly, the former India captain and ex-BCCI president, did not hold back while sharing his concerns about Rohit’s recent performances but refrained from speculating on his future.
Rohit Sharma’s Lean Patch
Rohit Sharma’s recent Test form has been dismal, with just over 150 runs in his last 14 innings. The 37-year-old’s struggles have been evident throughout the series, with scores of 3, 6, 10, and 3 since returning to the lineup after missing the Perth Test. Despite a shift in his batting position from No. 6 to opener in Melbourne, the runs have continued to elude him.
Even in the previous series against New Zealand, Rohit failed to deliver, often getting out cheaply. This prolonged slump has led to increasing scrutiny of his place in the Test XI.
Ganguly’s Honest Assessment
Speaking to TV9 Bangla, Sourav Ganguly pointed out that Rohit’s inability to score consistently has been a concern. He criticized Rohit’s shot selection in Melbourne, particularly in the first innings.
“Rohit Sharma is not able to score runs. He played a loose shot in the first innings. There is a second innings here in Melbourne and two more innings in Sydney, so he needs to perform well. India will need Rohit to step up,” Ganguly stated.
Uncertainty About Rohit’s Mental Space
Ganguly chose not to comment on Rohit’s future, emphasizing the difficulty of assessing where the Indian captain stands mentally.
“I don’t know where Rohit is mentally. It’s very difficult to comment right now,” Ganguly added.
Sunil Gavaskar had earlier speculated that Rohit might consider stepping away from Test cricket if his struggles persist through the Melbourne and Sydney Tests. Former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh also suggested that if Rohit fails to deliver in the crucial fourth innings at Melbourne, the leadership should transition to Jasprit Bumrah.
Kohli’s Inconsistent Performances
While Rohit’s form has been under the spotlight, Virat Kohli’s performances have also raised eyebrows. Despite scoring a century in Perth, Kohli has repeatedly gotten out chasing wide deliveries outside off-stump. Ganguly, however, defended Kohli, suggesting that his dismissals were more about lapses in concentration than poor form.
“Virat Kohli is not playing badly, but he’s just getting out after getting set. He scored a century in Perth and was playing well in the first innings here in Melbourne,” Ganguly explained.
A Crucial Phase for India’s Batting Unit
As the series progresses, the focus will remain on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to lead India’s batting efforts. While Kohli has shown glimpses of form, Rohit’s performances in the remaining matches could determine not just his role as captain but also his future in the longest format of the game.
