It is difficult for him to retain his place in Team India
India’s iconic batsman and captain, Rohit Sharma, appears to be entering the final phase of his celebrated career. At 37, the challenges of maintaining his place in the national team—both as a captain and a batsman—have grown considerably. With mounting pressure, questions are being raised about his future in cricket.
World Test Championship Dream Fading
The primary target for Rohit this year is leading India to the final of the World Test Championship (WTC). However, this goal now seems out of reach. India must defeat Australia 4-0 in the ongoing five-match Test series to secure their spot in the WTC final—a near-impossible task akin to snatching prey from a lion’s jaws.
India’s recent performance under Rohit’s captaincy has added to the skepticism. The team suffered a 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand on home soil last month, raising concerns about Rohit’s leadership and form. His struggles as a batsman have further complicated matters, making it harder for India to keep their WTC hopes alive. Should India fail to reach the WTC final in 2025, it could mark a turning point in Rohit’s career.
Dwindling Performance as a Batsman
Rohit’s form with the bat has been a shadow of his former self. In the recent Test series against New Zealand, he managed scores of just 2, 52, 0, 8, 18, and 11. His struggles continued in the second Test against Australia in Adelaide, where he batted at number six and was dismissed for just 3 runs.
The drought of centuries is another glaring issue. Rohit has scored only one Test century in the past nine months, with his last hundred coming against England in Dharamsala on March 7, 2024. Since then, he has recorded scores of 6, 5, 23, 8, 2, 52, 0, 8, 18, 11, and 3 in his last 11 Test innings. Similarly, in ODIs, his last century was during the 2023 World Cup against Afghanistan, where he scored 131 runs.
ODI and Test Captaincy at Risk
If India fails to qualify for the WTC final, the repercussions might extend beyond Tests. Rohit could lose his ODI captaincy as well, with his participation in the ICC Championship Trophy 2025 under scrutiny. In recent ODI outings, Rohit’s performance has been far from his best. He managed scores of 47, 47, 58, 64, and 35 in his last five ODIs and scored a total of 157 runs in a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in August 2024.
Declining Body Language
Rohit’s struggles are not limited to statistics; his body language on the field tells a story of waning hunger for runs. Once known for his calm yet assertive demeanor, Rohit now appears less confident and composed when batting. This decline has fueled speculation about his future.
A Glorious Career at Stake
Rohit Sharma debuted for India on June 23, 2007, in an ODI against Ireland. Over the years, he has amassed remarkable records.
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/aDJFxW8783
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) July 8, 2024
ODIs: 10,866 runs in 265 matches at an average of 49.17, including 31 centuries and three double centuries. His highest score of 264 remains a world record.
Tests: 4,274 runs in 65 matches at an average of 41.90, including 12 centuries and one double century.
T20Is: 4,231 runs in 159 matches at an average of 31.34, with five centuries and 32 half-centuries.
As Rohit nears the end of his career, fans and critics alike are left pondering whether the ‘Hitman’ can script a glorious farewell or if time will force an early goodbye to one of India’s finest cricketers.