Rohit Sharma May Step Down as Test Captain if Batting Form Doesn’t Improve

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar believes that Rohit Sharma might relinquish his role as India’s red-ball captain if he fails to deliver significant scores in the upcoming Test matches against Australia.

Gavaskar expressed his views during a segment on ABC Sport, highlighting that Rohit’s decision would likely be self-initiated rather than imposed by the selectors.

India is currently engaged in a tightly contested five-match Test series against Australia.

With one win apiece and the third Test in Brisbane ending in a draw, both teams are eager to gain an advantage in the remaining two matches.

The fourth Test is set to begin on December 25 in Melbourne, followed by the fifth in Sydney.

Gavaskar’s Take on Rohit’s Future

“I believe Rohit will certainly get the chance to play the next couple of matches,” said Gavaskar. “However, if he doesn’t deliver with the bat, I feel he will make the decision himself. He’s deeply committed to Indian cricket and would never want to be a liability to the team. If he doesn’t score runs in the next two games, I think he’ll step aside on his own.”

Rohit’s recent form in Test cricket has been far from inspiring. Over his last 13 innings, he has averaged a mere 11.83, accumulating only 152 runs with one half-century to his name.

His struggles against deliveries targeting the stumps have been particularly evident, with six of his last ten dismissals being either bowled or lbw.

Expert Opinions on Rohit’s Slump

Cheteshwar Pujara, speaking on ESPNcricinfo, identified a technical issue that might be affecting Rohit’s performance. “It’s the stump line that’s been troubling him a lot,” Pujara observed. “He is getting out bowled and lbw frequently, which is concerning.”

Dinesh Karthik, sharing his insights on Cricbuzz, attributed Rohit’s struggles to a lack of confidence. “This is the time for him to dig deep and fight it out. He needs to stay at the crease, avoid risky shots on tricky pitches, and trust his technique,” Karthik remarked.

Highlighting Rohit’s extensive experience, Karthik added, “Rohit has been playing international cricket for 17 years. Suggesting that his technique isn’t solid would be surprising. Like every player, he has his weak spots, but it’s about determination and grit.”

Karthik also emphasized the importance of a strong mindset, saying, “I’m not sure if he truly believes in himself right now, which could be affecting his confidence. But if he focuses and commits to the challenge, he can silence these doubts. What India needs most is a mentally strong Rohit Sharma.”

As India prepares for the crucial matches in Melbourne and Sydney, all eyes will be on Rohit Sharma’s performance.

His ability to overcome this lean patch could determine not only India’s fortunes in the series but also the future of his Test captaincy.