Rohit Sharma’s batting form has become a hot topic of discussion. With India’s performance in the ongoing series against Australia tied at 1-1, questions have arisen about the best role for the Indian captain, especially after his struggles with the bat in recent matches.
As the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy progresses, Rohit Sharma’s batting form has become a hot topic of discussion.
Rohit Sharma’s Recent Struggles
In the current Test season, which began with India’s home series against Bangladesh in September, Rohit Sharma has been far from his best. Across six Tests and 12 innings, he has managed just 142 runs, averaging a mere 11.83. His highest score so far is 52, and he has only crossed 50 once in this period. These statistics paint a concerning picture, particularly for someone of his stature in the Indian team.
This year, however, has seen some brighter moments for Rohit. In total, he has accumulated 597 runs in 12 Tests and 23 innings, at an average of 27.13, with two centuries and two fifties. His best score this year is 131. Despite these solid figures, his recent run of poor form has led to growing concerns, particularly after the humiliating 0-3 loss to New Zealand and a crushing defeat to Australia in the Adelaide pink-ball Test.
Rohit Sharma’s Captaincy Under Scrutiny
Rohit’s captaincy has also been questioned following the Adelaide defeat and the series loss to New Zealand. The lack of consistency from key players and Rohit’s own struggles have led to debates about his leadership. However, some experts believe that Rohit’s leadership is still crucial for the team’s success, and it might be his batting position that needs to change, rather than his role as captain.
Rohit Sharma (born April 30, 1987, Bansod, India) is an Indian international cricketer and the current captain of the Indian cricket team in the Test and One-Day International (ODI) formats. Sharma was also the captain of India’s Twenty20 International team until he announced his retirement on June 29, 2024, after leading the Indian side to its T20I World Cup victory. He captained the Mumbai Indians, a franchise team in the Indian Premier League (IPL), for 10 years and led them to five titles. Sharma is known for his batting prowess and is nicknamed “Hitman” by his fans. He is also an occasional off-spinner.
Sharma is the only player to have scored three double hundreds in ODI cricket; no other player has scored even two. He also holds the record for most international sixes across all formats, most sixes in World Cups, and the highest individual score in an ODI. He was a member of the Indian sides that won the 2007 T20I World Cup, the 2013 ICC (International Cricket Council) Champions Trophy, and the 2024 T20I World Cup.[1]
Early life and career
Sharma was born on April 30, 1987, in Bansod, Nagpur, in the state of Maharashtra, India. He first joined a cricket camp in 1999, when coach Dinesh Lad, a friend of his uncle’s, noticed his talent. Lad used to scout for talent in those days and was very impressed with the way Sharma bowled. Knowing that Sharma’s uncle would not be able to afford the fees for the school where Lad was coach, Lad convinced the school’s director to accept Sharma as a student and waive his entire fee so that he would have access to good training facilities. Sharma started off as a spinner before focusing on batting.
Sharma made his senior-level debut in a List A game in 2006, scoring an unbeaten 31 for West Zone against Central Zone in the Deodhar Trophy. His run of scores in the tournament got him picked for the India A squad, and he made his first-class debut for India Athat team against New Zealand at Darwin later in 2006, scoring 57 and 22, respectively. India achieved a 3-wicket win over New Zealand. He subsequently made his Ranji Trophy debut for Mumbai, one of the leading (and hard to break into) teams in the Indian domestic circuit, in the 2006–07 season and impressed with a double hundred while playing against Gujarat, as well as a half-century in a winning cause in the final that year. Sharma has gone on to represent Mumbai throughout his first-class career.[2]
Indian Premier League
Sharma joined the IPL in 2008 and was signed on by the now-defunct franchise Deccan Chargers, based in Hyderabad, for $750,000 a year. He was part of the Deccan Chargers that won the second edition of the IPL in 2009. He took a hat-trick against the Mumbai Indians that year with his part-time off-spin.
In the 2011 IPL auction, Sharma joined the Mumbai Indians for $2 million and scored his first and only IPL century that year. He was appointed captain of the Mumbai Indians in 2013 and led them to five titles (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020). He also led them to the Champions League T20 title in 2013. Sharma captained the Mumbai Indians until December 2023 and has been retained by them in all auctions since 2011. He is noted for his calm demeanor and tactical acumen on the field.
International career
Sharma’s international career kicked off with an ODI match against Ireland at Belfast in June 2007, when he took one catch but did not get a chance to bat or bowl. His T20I debut was later the same year, in the group game against England in the first T20I World Cup. Again, he didn’t get a chance to bat or bowl but took one catch, in a match remembered for Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes in an over. Sharma was Player of the Match in the quarterfinals against South Africa. He was also part of the team that won the T20I World Cup final, scoring a quick 30, the second highest score for India.
Ricky Ponting’s Opinion on Rohit’s Batting Position
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has weighed in on the issue, suggesting that Rohit Sharma should return to his preferred position as an opener. In an interview, Ponting emphasized that if Rohit was fit to play, he should have been moved straight back to the top of the order. Despite the success of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the opening partnership, Ponting argued that Rohit, as captain and one of India’s most experienced players, should bat in his usual role at the top.
Ponting pointed out, “You want your captain in his normal role, especially when he’s one of the most experienced players in the team. Perhaps the Indian team needs to reconsider moving him back to the top for the Brisbane Test.”
India vs Australia: A Crucial Third Test
The third Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to begin on Saturday at The Gabba in Brisbane, with both teams having registered dominant wins in the first two Tests. India comfortably won the first Test in Perth by 295 runs, but Australia made a strong comeback in the second Test in Adelaide, securing a 10-wicket victory. This leaves the series evenly poised at 1-1, with no clear favorite heading into the third match.
Rohit Sharma, who returned to the team after paternity leave in November, batted at No. 6 in the second Test in Adelaide, where he scored a meager 3 and 6 in India’s heavy defeat. He has surpassed 20 runs only twice in his last 12 Test innings, further raising doubts about his current form and his place in the batting order.
Jasprit Bumrah’s Recovery and Role in the Third Test
While Rohit’s batting position remains under scrutiny, Jasprit Bumrah’s recovery is a positive for India. The seamer, who suffered a minor groin injury in Adelaide, is recovering well and has resumed bowling. Bumrah’s performances in the series have been exceptional, with 12 wickets at an impressive average of 11.25. He has dismissed top Australian batters like Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, and Usman Khawaja multiple times, making him a pivotal figure in India’s bowling attack.
What’s Next for Rohit Sharma?
As India prepares for the third Test in Brisbane, the team management will need to decide on the best position for Rohit Sharma in the batting order. With his recent struggles, many experts believe that he should return to his opening role, where he has been most successful in the past. This move could help bolster his confidence and bring out the best in his batting, which is crucial for India’s success in the remainder of the series.
Rohit’s leadership, combined with his ability to turn around his form, will be key for India in what is expected to be a highly competitive third Test. Whether he opens the batting or not, all eyes will be on the Indian captain as he looks to lead his team to victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Conclusion
The ongoing series between India and Australia remains unpredictable, with both teams looking to assert their dominance. Rohit Sharma’s batting form and leadership will play a crucial role in determining India’s fortunes in the third Test. As the series heads to Brisbane, the big question remains: should Rohit return to his opening position, or is his role in the middle order the way forward? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—Rohit’s performance is vital for India’s success in the 2024-25 Test series.
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