Indian captain Rohit Sharma, despite his exceptional performances in limited-overs cricket, has faced challenges in establishing himself as a dominant force in the red-ball format over an extended period. While he displays flashes of brilliance, he is unable to utilise his starts and gets out cheaply.
In India, where pitches often favor batters and spinners, Rohit’s inability to convert promising starts into big, match-defining innings has been a recurring issue. Despite his technique being well-suited to handle Indian conditions, he has occasionally faltered against quality spin attacks or failed to capitalize on favorable situations.
After the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rohit Sharma was added to the Mumbai squad for the Ranji Trophy encounter against Jammu & Kashmir. However, he looked visibly out of rhythm, struggling to find his timing and unable to focus on his innings. His footwork appeared hesitant, and he frequently found himself playing tentative shots, leading to a subdued performance.
He got himself out in an ugly manner for just 3 runs in 19 balls. Despite his efforts to regain form, it was evident that he was not at his best, raising concerns about his ability to bounce back in the longer format of the game.
J&K fast bowler Umar Nazir Mir bowled a short-pitched delivery outside the off stump. Rohit Sharma went on to play a pull shot on the ball but ended up edging it as he was unable to anticipate the swing. The ball swiftly carried towards the fielder, Paras Dogra. Fans were expecting a big knock from the Indian captain, but he was unable to adapt to the conditions.
Rohit Sharma seemed disappointed while walking down towards the pavilion, his head hung low and shoulders slumped, reflecting the frustration of yet another missed opportunity. His dismissal not only added to his string of underwhelming performances but also highlighted his ongoing struggles to find form in the red-ball format.
Apart from him, batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was also included in the match, lost his wicket cheaply to fast bowler Auqib Nabi. He misjudged the line and length of the ball, and the ball struck him on his leg before the wicket. The explosive opener lost his wicket for just 4 runs in 8 balls.
