According to Sanjay Manjrekar, the former Indian cricketer, Rohit is in such form because of losing some instants of freedom. He seems to have claimed up. The year 2024 indeed had a promising kick start for Rohit Sharma. He carries the burden of having not scored so well lately, starting from the home Test series against Bangladesh back in September.
Besides, in his last 13 Tests-inning span, Rohit Sharma averaged below 12, with just one half century to show. The Indian captain registered the same performance during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He only managed only19 runs over three innings at an average of 6.33.
Sanjay Manjrekar highlights Rohit Sharma’s Struggles with Mental Confidence amid Poor Forms
For an established Indian opener with amazing credentials, it had actually before this tour translated into an average of sub-16 during India’s 0-3 Test series defeat at home to New Zealand. On the other hand, at the moment, Rohit has been batting at number six. It is because KL Rahul has flourished at the top of the order for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Sanjay Manjrekar quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo: “He is short of confidence with self-doubts. And a bit of a rude shock when he played in that home series against New Zealand. His defense was getting breached on Indian pitches.”
As per Sanjay Manjrekar, before the Boxing Day Test against Australia, he has pointed out the defensive techniques of Rohit Sharma. This is not helping him, in stark contrast to his flourishing in England in 2021. He accumulated 368 runs across four Tests at an average of 52.57.
He simply cannot find the defensive game: Sanjay Manjrekar
The cricket pundit further stated, “So, for someone who, when he had this brilliant series in England in 2021, from a strike rate of 42, which is like a little bit Pujara, ended up batting for about 21 hours across that entire series. All of us discovered something new, and now when he tries to bring that game back, it just cannot find the defensive game. That’s where the problem lies defense is just gone to pieces.”
During the Test against England in 2021, many lauded the ability of the right-handed batter and praised him for his solid technique when he batted for long. Well, Manjrekar suggested that Rohit’s game is now suffering due to a dearth of confidence. It is tough for him to return to form and repeat that show.
Rohit Sharma’s 2021 England Series Performance
Manjrekar said, “I remember commentating on that series (2021 England) and kept saying, ‘This is Pujara-like,’ the way he was grinding away. And I thought it was the rebirth of Rohit Sharma, the Test cricketer, who got those two centuries in his first two Tests. I also felt this is his true calling; this is what he loves to do, which is playing for time like a typical Mumbai batter.”
At present, the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is currently locked at 1-1 after the Gabba Test ended in a draw. In that Test, India emerged the winner in the first Test in Perth. Australia won the second Test at Adelaide. Now, the fate of the BGT will be determined in the fourth Test in Melbourne.
