[PICTURES/VIDEOS] Is Rohit Sharma finished or has he still something left in the tank?

Is Rohit Sharma finished as an explosive batter outside powerplay?


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Rohit's comeback inning did not go well. Gone for 3 off 11 balls in a warmup game against Prime Ministers 11 ahead of the 2nd test against Australia.

How India is gonna fit him now??
He will play and fail, we will lose the test, this guy is a misfit in test line up. Unfortunately being a skipper gets auto selected, he had a good 2-3 seasons in test cricket that's all other than that has a mediocre plater in red ball
 
Where should Rohit Sharma bat in the Adelaide Test? Ravi Shastri weighs in

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has thrown his full support behind captain Rohit Sharma’s potential return to the middle order for the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Adelaide.

Rohit, who missed the first Test to be with his family for the birth of his second child, will return to the captain the side in the Adelaide Test, beginning on Friday (6 December).

Shastri, speaking on the ICC Review, emphasised the importance of Rohit’s experience, believing it could be a game-changer for India as they look to go two-up against an Australian team determined to level the series.

“It’s a fantastic boost because there’s no doubting his quality,” Shastri said. “He’s very experienced. You need that experience in the middle order.”

Rohit began his Test career in the middle order before transitioning to the opening role. In 41 innings at No.5 or lower, he has amassed 1,474 runs at an average of 43.35, including nine half-centuries and three centuries.

While his standout performances have come at home, where he averages a remarkable 96.12 in the middle order, his record in Australia is more modest, with 187 runs in seven innings at 26.71. This includes a crucial half-century in Melbourne during the 2018/19 series.

However, Shastri backed him to deliver against Australia. “It’s the right mix of experience and youth in the setup, so whether he opens the batting or goes in the middle order, the choice is his,” Shastri said.

“He’s experienced enough to see where he’s most dangerous when it comes to Australia. Where would Australia not like to see him? That’s the position he should choose. And he’s the leader of the pack, so he can afford to do that.”

 
Speaking to the reporters, Rohit said that KL is gonna open in the 2nd test starting tomorrow. It means, he is going to bat 1 down??

He said I will bat somewhere in middle order, where in middle order?? 1 down?? 2 down??
 
He will likely come at 5 or 6.

I think Rohit also knows now there are only few more matches left in his career so no point fixing himself to a position
 
Rohit's middle order gig did not work today.. Gone early for just 3
 
Rohit Sharma gets out cheaply once again, scoring only 6 off 15 balls in the second innings against Australia. This second Test is now heading toward a Day 3 finish
 
Rohit on balls at off stump & outside from right arm pace (since Dec 2023)

23 inngs
13 dismissals
Avg 14.76
Balls/Dis 25.8
SR 57.14
Among batters to have faced at least 200+ such balls in the same period only Kusal Mendis gets dismissed more frequently than Rohit.
 

Sunil Gavaskar Defends Rohit Sharma's 'Selfless' Act, But Ricky Ponting Warns "For The Rest Of His Career..."​


Legendary cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Ricky Ponting had an intense discussion about India captain Rohit Sharma's batting order in the 1st innings of the second Test against Australia in Adelaide. Rohit, who missed the series opener in Perth, dropped himself to no. 6 in the batting order to accomodate KL Rahul at the top of the order. Rahul put on an impressive show in the first Test, helping India thrash Australia by 295 runs. As a result, Rohit sacrificed his position to allow Rahul in continuing as an opener.

While Rahul hit a 64-ball 37 in the first innings, Rohit managed just three runs. Speaking on the change in the batting order, Gavaskar defended Rohit for dropping down the order. However, Ponting disagreed with the legendary batter.

With Rohit skipping the 1st Test in Perth for the birth of his second child, Gavaskar was of the opinion that the India captain batting at the top wasn't ideal as he did not have any match practice in the lead up to the match in Adelaide.

"The previous Test, you have a 200-run partnership between Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. You don't want to break that, they have that momentum and confidence. Besides, Rohit Sharma hasn't played any serious cricket for more than a month, the last time he played for India was November 3, we are at December 6," Gavaskar told 7Cricket.

"Clearly, it was required that he would be able to see what was happening, pink ball isn't easy to play, India hasn't played pink-ball test in maybe 2-3 years, so dropping himself down the order was, to me, a correct move," he added.

However, Ponting perceived it from a different perspective. The former Australia captain suggested that Rohit might have to bat no. 6 for the rest of his Test career, especially with Rahul doing well at the top.

"I actually disagree with what Sunny said. I feel he should've come back in the side and open the batting. KL Rahul has been a fringe player around this team for a number of years. Yes, he got his chance and he played in Perth. But what it seems to be now is that Rohit Sharma is going to spend the rest of his career down the order Because KL Rahul has played well, Shubman Gill looked good in the first innings, so he looks certain. The only spot for Rohit Sharma in the side now is no.6 and that might be where he stays for the rest of his career," Ponting argued.

"He is a class player, although his record isn't that good against Australia. I think he has only made one century against Australia. The captain coming back in, and batting in the middle, was a bit of an eye opener, but those are the decisions that a captain has to make," he added.

 
A more "selfless" act will be.... Retire and let the team not suffer anymore.
 
Harbhajan Singh, while talking on a local sports media outlet, said:

“When such a big player doesn’t score runs, it will become a slight cause for concern. We know that Rohit has great ability and has scored a lot of runs for India. However, he didn’t score runs in this match and the previous series as well. When the runs are not scored, the pressure comes on the batter."

“We won’t want the Indian captain to have the pressure of scoring his own runs, as it could affect his captaincy as well. We hope that he comes back to form. The conditions at other venues like Brisbane might suit him more. He needs to leave this match behind and think about what better can be done going forward and how the team can play better because the team is more important than his form."
 
Rohit Sharma has a paltry average of 32.42 as India's Test captain

He averages 46.88 when not playing as captain in Tests
 
Rohit Sharma has a paltry average of 32.42 as India's Test captain

He averages 46.88 when not playing as captain in Tests
He skipped few sena matches when he is not a captain with imaginary injuries happened to him while practising in the nets at his own ground. Now everything is catching up.
 
Cricket legend Kapil Dev backed Indian team captain Rohit Sharma, saying that he doesn’t need to prove himself at this stage of his career:

“He doesn’t have to prove himself. He has done this for many, many years, so let’s not doubt somebody. I won’t doubt him. I hope his form comes back, that’s important,"

“With one or two performances, if you doubt someone’s captaincy, I mean, just six months back when he won the T20 World Cup, you wouldn’t have asked me this question. Let it go, knowing his ability and talent, he will come back. They will come back strongly."

“I am a nobody. How can I judge? There are people up there who have the responsibility to decide who should be in the team." “We shouldn’t talk. My former colleagues are sitting there, and I hope they will do a good job."

“I think it is too early to talk about his captaincy. With one performance, you can’t say he is the best, and with one bad performance, you can’t say he doesn’t deserve it."
 
For the first time in six years, Rohit Sharma has slipped out of the top 30 in the ICC rankings for batters in Test cricket. The 37-year-old batter’s form in the purest format of the game has been disappointing in the 2024-25 season, as he has scored only 152 runs from 12 innings at a paltry average of 11.83. He was dismissed for single-digit scores in the second Test between India and Australia in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
 
For the first time in six years, Rohit Sharma has slipped out of the top 30 in the ICC rankings for batters in Test cricket. The 37-year-old batter’s form in the purest format of the game has been disappointing in the 2024-25 season, as he has scored only 152 runs from 12 innings at a paltry average of 11.83. He was dismissed for single-digit scores in the second Test between India and Australia in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Take out his top 2 innings ( 75 runs) from his tally.his avg is 7.7 in 10 innings.
 
Ponting thinks Rohit Sharma must return to opener role

ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting believes India captain Rohit Sharma is best served at the top of the batting order and should return to his preferred position during the third Test against Australia in Brisbane.

The return of Rohit in the Indian line-up for the Adelaide Test involved the seasoned opener slotting himself in the middle-order rather than at his usual opening slot, but Ponting wasn’t a fan of the move.

Rohit confirmed the decision was taken keeping in mind the successful 201-run opening stand between Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul that paved the way for India’s historic triumph during the first Test of the series in Perth.

There was hesitation for Rohit and team management to break apart a working combination. And given Rohit has batted at fourth-drop in 25 innings prior to his twin Adelaide outings, India believed there was just cause to slot him into the middle-order.

Ponting discussed the plight of Rohit when speaking with host Sanjana Ganesan on the most recent episode of The ICC Review and the Australian said the Indian skipper should be batting where he’s most comfortable.

“I felt that if (Rohit) Sharma was coming back into the side, he should have gone straight back up to the top and opened the batting,” Ponting said.

“That's how I felt about it. And I know that KL and Jaiswal had a 200-run partnership in Perth and they had played well, but he's (Rohit) your captain. He's one of your most experienced players.

“You want to be sending him out at the top in his normal role. So that's something they might think about. They might think about Rohit going back to the top for Brisbane.”

Rohit, who arrived to bat at No.6 for India in the pink-ball Test, scored three and six runs across the two innings as Australia emerged triumphant by a 10-wicket margin.

The 37-year-old has been under the scanner for his recent returns with the bat in the longest format. In his last 12 Test innings, 10 of which came during India’s home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, Rohit has compiled 142 runs, averaging 11.83.

Asked if Rohit’s form was a cause of worry for both he and the team, Ponting provided mitigating factors.

“It's like, you just know within yourself. You don't need anybody to tell you if you're making runs or not, or if you're batting well or not. You know deep down inside as well,” Ponting said.

“Rohit had an extended break before that Test match, and it wasn't the easiest wicket to bat on as well by the way, I think that needs to be said. Most guys struggled to make runs on that wicket.

“Whether worried is the right word…if it's just concern or just a little bit anxious about making runs next time you bat. But if I was India and him, I'd be trying to find a way to make it as comfortable as possible.

“And he's opened the batting for such a long period of time. I would get him straight back up there again and try to find a slot somewhere down the order for KL (Rahul).

“That's what I would do. Because I think that's what he (Rohit) would prefer.”

 
Cheteshwar Pujara, while speaking to a local sports media outlet, said:

"It wasn't a length where you can drive. We have seen that even a fuller length ball, it's hard to drive. He, kind of tried to punch that ball. He should have defended that ball, allowed the ball to come to him rather than going for that ball. And I think the tough part is he hasn't been, amongst runs, and, that's where the pressure is."

"He [Rohit Sharma] has been opening the innings, now he's batting at number 6. That is for the team, but I still feel that when you are so much used to opening the innings and when you have to wait, then you put yourself in that doubt. I mean, it doesn't help you when you're opening innings and you suddenly start batting at number 6. So that you don't get that momentum either,"
 
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has come out in support of India skipper Rohit Sharma, defending him amid criticism of his recent form in Test cricket during a conversation with a sports media outlet:

"You never pick just based on form. He's captain of the team, so I'm picking him. Rohit hasn't started here, he took some time to get back into it. He wants some runs and he's an exceptional player. He plays in middle-order because he thinks it's best for the team. I won't make any changes. KL Rahul is doing a great job at the top, I understand that. I don't think it matters what format he plays; when he's confident and backing himself, playing with aggressive intent, that's where he is at his best."

"Finch is a good example. He will tell you, batting in Tests where the ball is moving when you are a player who has dominated short-format cricket, it's hard when your confidence drops. I remember having conversations with Finchy, I'd rather have him go out and back himself from ball one. Sometimes, it doesn't look great, but that's the way these boys play. They are X-factor players, match-winners."
 
Ravi Shastri on how Rohit Sharma can rediscover his Test mojo

India great Ravi Shastri has revealed the position Rohit Sharma should bat during the remainder of the series against Australia.

Shastri also provided his thoughts on what the experienced skipper needs to do to find his best form.

Rohit’s decision to bat lower in the order during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series hasn’t delivered the results the India captain might have hoped for.

After missing the opening Test to be with his family for the birth of his second child, Rohit was expected to reclaim his spot at the top of the order.

However, KL Rahul’s impressive knock of 77 in India’s victory at Perth prompted a reshuffle, with Rohit moving down to No.6.

The change has yet to bear fruit, as Rohit managed scores of 10, three and six in his last three innings, while Rahul has capitalised on the opportunity, cementing his position at the top with a stellar 84 in the first innings at Brisbane in the third Test.

Speaking with host Sanjana Ganesan on the latest episode of The ICC Review, Shastri backed Rahul to retain the role as opener and also shared his thoughts on how Rohit could make an impact while batting lower down the order.

“I would have asked him (Rohit) to open in the last Test match but then the way Rahul has batted, I mean he was a joy to watch and the way he's batting, I believe he struck a purple patch,” Shastri said.

“It could be a position he might just want to keep and enhance the way he's playing because his technique was faultless.

“The way he left the ball, the way he allowed the ball to come onto the bat, I mean some of his cover drives were as good as any played by anyone in world cricket at the moment. And so I think when there's that much confidence there, you know, let it be.

“I would like to see Rohit Sharma, his tactics change a bit because he can still be extremely dangerous at that number (six)."

Rohit is no stranger to batting at No.6 in Test cricket. In fact, he made his Test debut in 2013 in this position, marking the occasion with a century.

Before the Border-Gavaskar series, Rohit had batted 25 times at No.6, amassing 1037 runs at an impressive average of 54.57. However, the last time he played in that role was back in 2018, after which he firmly established himself as a Test opener.

Shastri suggested that Rohit should channel his white-ball mindset while batting at No.6, encouraging him to embrace the aggressive approach that has defined his success in limited-overs cricket.

“I think he's got to be very clear in his mindset to go out there and take the attack to the opposition and not worry about anything else,” Shastri said.

“The last thing you want is him to be in two minds whether to defend or attack. In his case, it should be attack.

“He picks up length quickly, he should take the opposition on at that number. Because if he gets away in the first 10-15 minutes, in any way, he's not got past that 15-20 minutes, half an hour. So why don't you play a natural game, go and take the attack to the opposition and take it from there?

“Because I think that is his best way of not just coming back into form, winning a game for India as well. Because that number is a crucial number.

“The best No.6s in the world are the guys who know how to have the ability to counter-attack. They read the situation well. Yes, if a lot of wickets have fallen, maybe for a little while. You might have to be circumspect, but the intent has to be far sooner than later.

“Especially when you have that kind of ability and especially when you open the batting for India and you have all the shots for Australian conditions.”

ICC
 
Mumbai pr mafia imp member manjrekar finally admitted "Rohit's defence went to pieces " as per cricinfo.I think rohit and kohli will retire from tests for sure after bgt .If some one can throw them from odis before ct25 it's perfect otherwise one more ignominy waiting for Indian fans.
 
Rohit Sharma's struggles in Test Cricket with misguided shots, length issues and defensive problems

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Time for rohit to say TATA BYE BYE to the format.

Rohit Sharma in Last 14 Innings:

6, 5, 23, 8, 2, 52, 0, 8, 18, 11, 3, 6, 10, 3(today)

Runs: 155

Average: 11.07
 
I think Rohit might still do better in whiteball but in red ball, both of these guys are done.
Rohit can't stay longer than pp. He tries to bash it up in pp and scire 50 in the name of selfless intent drama.Let jaiswal playing instead of him and jaiswal is a much better asset than rohit
 
In Test Cricket he is done and finished as for ODI I think his time will come soon there as well a great batsman indeed but his time has come
 
The only reason him and Kohli shouldn't retire after this series is if they love humiliating themselves in front of cricket fans around the world.
 
The only reason him and Kohli shouldn't retire after this series is if they love humiliating themselves in front of cricket fans around the world.
Your namesake is done. Every great player goes through patches like this at the end of their career. Wise ones know when to call it a day.
 
Rohit's season average(11) is the second lowest for an indian player .first is with ct sarwate (avg 10) in 1947 against aus.
Atleast Sarwate took few wickets and he played only 5 matches in that season While rohit played 8 matches .more over its sarwate first tour of Australia.He is an all rounder and used to be a finger print expert by profession.Rohit took his credit and shame all time low.
 
Former Australia cricketer Mark Waugh feels that India skipper Rohit Sharma’s Test career is nearing its end, as he said while talking to a local sports media outlet:

“Unless Rohit Sharma can do something in the last three innings, I think his career could certainly be coming to an end.”

While another former Australia cricketer Kerry O Keefe said:

“That was a really big mistake from Rohit Sharma. It is a nothing shot. It is one of his favourite shots, Rohit Sharma, the swivel-pull. It was too early in the innings. He has not got used to the pace or the bounce. It is a sad state for the Indian captain.”
 
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