9 hours Ago By Omair Pall
Rohit Sharma’s rough patch continued on Thursday as he was dismissed for just 3 runs in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir. It’s been a tough time for the Indian opener, who’s facing growing criticism after a series of disappointing performances. His recent stint in the Test series against Australia saw him struggle, with only 31 runs across three matches.
The pressure from fans and critics was intense, and he eventually made the difficult decision to drop himself for the final Test in Sydney, showing just how much the weight of expectations had taken a toll. Rohit's return to domestic cricket, after a long absence since 2015, was seen as an opportunity for him to regain his form. However, things didn’t go as planned.
He was dismissed early by a sharp short-pitched delivery from Umar Nazir Mir, which caught him off guard. The mistimed shot flew straight to Paras Dogra, who made no mistake with the catch. It was another frustrating moment for a player who’s been under the spotlight for his batting struggles, with many hoping to see him bounce back to his usual self.
@itsmihir412 pic.twitter.com/PXawxTr7Wi — stuud (@stuud18) January 23, 2025 Rohit wasn't alone in his struggles during the match.
His opening partner, Yashasvi Jaiswal, was dismissed cheaply for just 5 runs, and while Ajinkya Rahane showed some signs of promise, he too was out for just 12. The pressure on Mumbai’s top order continued to mount, with the team facing a tough challenge on the day. Rohit’s struggles in Test cricket have been particularly hard to ignore.
During India’s recent tour of Australia, he only managed 31 runs in five innings across three Tests. His 2024-25 season hasn’t been much better, with just 164 runs in eight matches, averaging an underwhelming 10.93.
A single half-century against Bangladesh was the only bright spot in an otherwise challenging period for the opener, who is known for his ability to turn things around with big innings. Fans leaving the venue after the wicket of Rohit Sharma. [RevSportz] pic.
twitter.com/SQhqs9Mi76 — Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 23, 2025 Off the field, Rohit has also faced challenges as the captain of the Indian team.
Earlier in the season, India suffered a humiliating 0-3 loss to New Zealand in a home Test series, marking India’s first-ever whitewash at home since 2000. This defeat was a bitter blow, especially given that it was India’s first home Test series loss in over a decade. The pressure on Rohit as captain intensified after India’s crushing 295-run victory over Australia in the first Test at Perth, where Jasprit Bumrah captained in Rohit’s absence due to the birth of his second child.
As Rohit continues to battle with both his batting form and leadership duties, the weight of expectation only increases. Whether he can find his way back to the top remains to be seen, but for now, the road to recovery feels like a long one..
