Opener or middle-order, Rohit Sharma doesn’t spark confidence to score runs now

In his last 13 Test innings, Rohit Sharma averages a mere 11.69.

A year ago, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli set the ODI World Cup 2023 on fire. The two ended up as the highest run-getters and were in their element. Fast forward now; both don’t spark any confidence to score even a modicum of runs. While Kohli continued his unwanted love-affair with outside off-stump deliveries, Rohit Sharma was easily set up by Australian captain Pat Cummins.

Rohit Sharma doesn’t inspire confidence

Both Rohit and KL Rahul remained unbeaten and started Day 4 proceedings for India. While KL Rahul looked as composed and comfortable as ever, Rohit seemed like a walking wicket. He was inside edges a couple of times and was even beaten. Cummins was bowling at full throttle, no doubt about that, but Rohit never inspired confidence to negotiate the tough period.

Rohit was on paternity leave when Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal forged a match-changing partnership in Perth. Following that, Rohit didn’t disturb the opening stand and sacrificed his position. Instead, he slotted himself at number six, the position where he started his Test career. Regardless, opener or middle-order batter, Rohit doesn’t spark confidence of scoring runs currently.

IND vs AUS: Pat Cummins outsmarts Rohit quite easily

Rohit Sharma’s ongoing struggles with the bat continued on Day 4 of the 3rd Test between India and Australia at Brisbane, as he fell to a familiar lapse in technique, departing early against a sharp delivery from Cummins. Rohit, who has faced mounting pressure owing to his inconsistent form, once again failed to anchor the innings when his team needed him the most.

In the 23rd over of India’s second innings, Cummins delivered a full-length ball just outside the off stump, drawing Rohit into a tentative push. The delivery, with a hint of movement away, exposed the Indian skipper’s lack of decisive footwork. Rohit, rooted at the crease, failed to transfer his weight forward and ended up edging the ball to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who completed a regulation catch.