The year 2024 was a rollercoaster for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, starting with the elation of a T20 World Cup victory but ending in personal and professional setbacks. By the close of the year, the Indian cricket team was grappling with one of its worst Test seasons in recent memory.
The 2024-25 campaign saw India fail to qualify for the World Test Championship final for the first time, a blow fueled by the prolonged batting struggles of its senior most players – Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, alongside a depleted bowling attack that lacked depth beyond Jasprit Bumrah during their tour of Australia.
The former Indian cricketer Deep Dasgupta weighed in on the implications for Rohit Sharma’s future, suggesting that his circumstances should be assessed differently from those of Virat Kohli. Drawing parallels to the past Indian cricket stalwarts (Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid) who were evaluated individually rather than as a pair, Dasgupta emphasised the need for a tailored perspective when examining the two players. He pointed to the months ahead, filled with international white-ball cricket and IPL action, as critical for Rohit to prove his worth, with his fitness and domestic cricket form likely to influence decisions regarding his role.
Rohit Sharma’s captaincy in the Test arena has come under increased scrutiny following a series of disheartening results. India suffered five defeats in their last six Tests under his leadership, including a shocking 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand on the home soil. This marked the end of a historic home-winning streak and served as a significant blemish on his record. The struggles culminated in Rohit opting to sit out the final Test of the subsequent Australia series, where India lost by six wickets, surrendering the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after holding it for a decade.
The team’s slump, combined with the struggles of its senior players, has placed India’s selectors in a position where critical decisions about leadership and future team composition are inevitable. The coming months will be pivotal in shaping the next chapter for Indian cricket.
