Rohit Sharma endured a tough year in Test cricket in 2024, with performances that fell far below his usual standards. The Indian skipper managed only 619 runs in 14 matches at a modest average of 24.76. To compound matters, his captaincy was under scrutiny following a historic home whitewash against New Zealand. Expectations were high for him to bounce back during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but his struggles continued.
Sharma amassed a mere 31 runs in five innings against Australia, averaging an abysmal 6.20. His decision to step down for the fifth Test underscored his challenging form. Reflecting on this rough patch, former India bat
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ting coach Sanjay Bangar shared his thoughts, urging Rohit to rediscover his hunger for Test cricket by proving himself in the domestic circuit. “At 37, every failure stings deeply for a cricketer. The weight of past accomplishments and the rise of younger talents can heavily impact the mind,” Sanjay Bangar said on Star Sports. He emphasized that players of similar stature, like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, have faced similar challenges but demonstrated their hunger by excelling in domestic cricket.
“Even today, these players are grinding it out on domestic pitches, where the intensity is a far cry from international cricket. Rohit must channel his desire to continue representing India and back it up with domestic performances. If he does so, there’s no reason he can’t reclaim his form and place,” Bangar added.
Former cricketer Deep Dasgupta echoed this sentiment, stating that domestic cricket could be pivotal in helping Rohit regain his confidence and rhythm. Dasgupta also contrasted Rohit’s struggles with Virat Kohli’s batting, noting that despite Kohli’s ongoing battle with deliveries outside the off-stump, he still looked more assured at the crease compared to Rohit.
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“The real question is about hunger,” Deep Dasgupta remarked. “Even after achieving so much individually and as a captain, does Rohit still have the drive? A couple of domestic games could reveal a lot. Class isn’t in question, but hunger and the willingness to sacrifice are critical. The next Test series isn’t until June, and the red-ball cricket available in the coming weeks could be a significant opportunity for him to work on his game.”
With ample time before India’s next Test assignment, domestic cricket might just be the platform for Rohit Sharma to reignite his career.
