Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has come under scrutiny following a series of lackluster performances in Test cricket. His recent form has been far from his best, with particular struggles noted during the series in Australia. In his last eight Test matches, Rohit’s highest score was a modest 52, achieved against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Alarmingly, he was dismissed for single-digit scores in 10 of his 14 innings and even recorded a duck once. An experiment to bat lower in the order also failed to yield positive results.
The criticism intensified after India suffered a heavy 184-run defeat in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Monday. Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan questioned Rohit’s position in the team, suggesting that his role as captain is shielding him from being dropped.
“What’s happening now is that he is the captain, so he is playing. If he were not the captain, he might not be playing right now,” Pathan remarked during a discussion on Star Sports. He elaborated that a set team composition would likely have featured players like K.L. Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, or Shubman Gill at the top order in Rohit’s absence. “Considering how he is struggling with the bat, there might not have been a place for him in the playing XI. But because he is the captain, and you want to win the next match to draw the series, he stays in the team,” Pathan added.
Pathan also voiced concern about Rohit’s lack of form and hinted at deeper issues affecting his game. “His form is so poor. Even in India, before coming here, he wasn’t scoring runs, and he still hasn’t scored runs. This is very disappointing when I see Rohit Sharma batting. Because whenever I see him bat, I always want to see the true Rohit Sharma, but right now, whether it’s his mindset or coordination with his body, it’s just not there,” Pathan concluded.
The ongoing challenges with Rohit’s performance have sparked debates about his place in the Test squad, with many hoping for a turnaround to restore both his form and his leadership on the field.
