India’s defeat to England in the third ODI at Lord’s may have ended the series but it also sparked fresh discussions about the mindset of the team’s senior batters. Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes that the pressure surrounding team selection may have affected the performances of experienced players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.
Speaking after the match, Ashwin said he noticed a certain level of hesitation in the way the three batters approached their innings. According to him, the uncertainty surrounding their places in the team may have prevented them from playing with complete freedom.
Ashwin has previously spoken about the importance of trust from the team management, especially for senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. He feels that experienced cricketers perform at their best when they know they have the full backing of the selectors and coaching staff.
Reports have suggested that Rohit Sharma is no longer part of the BCCI selectors’ plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup, a development that has led to growing retirement speculation. Despite the outside noise, Rohit responded with a superb 138-run innings in the third ODI, although India eventually lost the match.
Ashwin praised Rohit Sharma’s knock and called it a remarkable innings. However, he also felt that the veteran batter did not look as confident as he normally does. According to Ashwin, Rohit appeared to be finding his rhythm and looked in excellent touch but with a little more confidence, he could have played an even bigger innings and possibly guided India to victory.
He also pointed out that the Lord’s pitch was challenging and said he noticed a cautious approach from Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul while they were batting. Ashwin explained that when players feel secure about their place in the team, they naturally play with more freedom, whereas uncertainty can make them more cautious in their shot selection.
In the match, Virat Kohli scored 74 off 60 balls, while KL Rahul made 12 off 8 deliveries. However, both were dismissed at crucial moments, leaving India under pressure during the chase.
England eventually secured a 27-run victory to clinch the ODI series 2-1. While Rohit’s century stood out as the highlight of the contest, Ashwin believes the mental pressure surrounding team selection may have played a role in the overall performance of India’s senior batters.
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