It’s been almost two and a half years since Rohit Sharma last scored a century in Test cricket. In that span, the world has seen cyclones come and go, Sri Lanka faces economic problems, and the IPL expand from eight to ten teams. Yet, in Test cricket, Rohit Sharma has remained without a hundred — a dry spell that has stirred much discussion. Particularly, the Rohit who once dominated all three formats seems a far cry from the one who now often returns to the pavilion too soon.
Taking charge in 2021, Rohit has led the Indian team with notable success as captain. He steered India to the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup and, in 2024, brought home the T20 World Cup trophy. His leadership has undoubtedly been significant. However, in Test cricket, Rohit’s performance has shown signs of instability, raising questions about his consistency and performance in the longest format of the game. Besides as a Test captain Rohit seems unsteady, particularly in maintaining continuity. Though he recently retired from T20s, fitness and consistency are critical for the endurance required in five-day cricket.
Rohit Sharma will miss the BGT, now he has got another reason to skip.He will surely skip the BGT to avoid the retirement.
Today Ravindra jadeja performed. So he is not retiring. Now Virat Kohli & Ravi Ashwin are only left,so if the report is correct then BGT is last for Virat. pic.twitter.com/xMbnvrpEyZ
— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) November 3, 2024
In his last five Tests, Rohit has managed scores of 6, 5, 23, 8, 2, 52, 0, 8, 18, and 11 — accumulating just 133 runs at an average of 13.30, with only a single half-century to show. Six of these innings ended in single digits, highlighting a worrying pattern of dismissals. Rohit has been bowled five times and caught five times, with finger spinners claiming his wicket four times and pace bowlers taking him out six times. A slight seam movement or even a gentle turn on the offside seems enough to disrupt his defence, making him vulnerable to both pace and spin.
For a player with 4,271 runs in 64 Tests at an average of 42.29, this kind of inconsistency and susceptibility in shot selection is concerning for the Indian cricket team. Fitness has also come into question, with doubts about whether Rohit’s stamina is enough for the demands of Test cricket. His recent form mirrors the ebb and flow of ocean tides, unpredictable and turbulent. Despite his passion on the field, Rohit’s recent performances have fallen short of averting setbacks. Currently, his form is like climbing a mountain, where he needs to work hard to overcome challenges. Besides his Poor shot selection has repeatedly led to his downfall in tough situations.
Rohit Sharma made his debut as a middle-order batter back in 2007, facing a challenging start. However, then-captain MS Dhoni saw his potential and pushed for one more opportunity. In 2013, after Virender Sehwag’s exit, Rohit was promoted to open in ODIs—a decision that transformed his career. As an opener, he thrived, scoring 6,719 runs at a remarkable average of 57.43 across 132 innings, including 25 centuries, and establishing himself as a dominant force in all formats of the game.
Now, with the spotlight on his Test form, Rohit Sharma faces the challenge of reimagining his strategy and rediscovering his rhythm. As a seasoned cricketer and leader, his consistency is crucial for the Indian team across all formats—especially in Test cricket, where his contributions could be the backbone of the batting lineup. In this situation, Rohit must revamp his batting approach to make a swift comeback and ensure that his experience strengthens rather than burdens the team.