Questions over Rohit Sharma’s place in India’s ODI team intensified on Thursday evening after reports claimed he may no longer be an automatic selection following the Lord’s match against England. Multiple reports suggested that the team management is planning for the future and is ready to give Yashasvi Jaiswal an extended run ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The speculation comes after Rohit Sharma’s recent decline in form. The veteran opener enjoyed an excellent run last year, winning the Player of the Series award in Australia before following it up with another productive ODI series against South Africa at home.
However, his performances have dipped since the ODI series against New Zealand in January. The 39-year-old has crossed the 50-run mark only once in his last eight ODI innings. Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal has made a strong impression in his limited opportunities, increasing the discussion around India’s opening combination.
Despite the growing speculation, India assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak played down concerns over Rohit Sharma’s place in the side. Speaking after the second ODI against England in Cardiff, Sitanshu Kotak said that a player of Rohit’s experience and stature would not be under pressure because of a few low scores. He added that although Rohit had failed to make a big contribution in the first two matches, it did not change the team’s confidence in him.
During the ongoing England tour, Rohit has managed only 37 runs from two ODI innings and has looked less aggressive than usual, scoring at a strike rate of 54.41.
Sitanshu Kotak also backed the experienced opener to bounce back in the series-deciding ODI at Lord’s on Sunday. He explained that even the best batters can struggle to find momentum on certain days and believed Rohit was capable of producing a completely different innings in the next match.
The assistant coach also pointed to the playing conditions, saying Rohit may not have been comfortable playing some of his usual attacking shots because of the uneven bounce. He noted that while Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli got off to quick starts, Rohit did not receive deliveries in his preferred scoring areas. Sitanshu Kotak maintained that such phases are common for batters and insisted Rohit’s recent struggles should not be viewed differently from those of other players.
What do you think in this regard? Do let us know.
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