With the India versus England Test series currently tied at 1-1 following the first two matches, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has yet to hit his stride. In the initial two games, Sharma has only managed to amass 90 runs, averaging 22.50. Despite getting off to promising starts, he has struggled to convert them into substantial scores. Notably, ahead of the Test series, Rohit was in good form, showcasing his prowess with a century against Afghanistan during the third T20I match in January.
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar opines that Rohit Sharma might be overly focused on making an impact as a leader. Manjrekar emphasises that while Rohit holds the captaincy, his primary role remains that of a batsman. Manjrekar suggests that Rohit should prioritize performing well with the bat and also heed the wisdom of MS Dhoni.
Try and do the right things and hold the words of MS Dhoni: Manjrekar
“I just wonder whether Rohit Sharma is getting too caught up in trying to make an impact as a leader. It’s got to be Rohit Sharma the batter first and then the captain because when you’re captain, most things are beyond your control. Try and do the right things and hold the words of MS Dhoni. You do the process and wait for things to happen, but batting is something that’s within his control very much,” Sanjay Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo.
Since assuming the role of captain for India, Rohit Sharma has steered the team to notable success in Test cricket. Over his 2.5-year tenure, India has ascended to the top position in Test rankings and contested the final of the 2023 World Test Championship. Rohit's Test debut was marked by consecutive centuries in consecutive matches, with his most recent century against West Indies in July 2023. As India gears up for the third Test against England, Rohit Sharma is eager to rediscover his form and contribute significantly with the bat.
In addition to his accomplishments in Test cricket, Rohit Sharma emerged as the second-highest run-scorer in the 2023 ODI World Cup. With 597 runs from 16 matches, including a century against Afghanistan, Rohit's stellar performance positioned him as the tournament's second-leading scorer. Despite India's ten consecutive victories, they fell short of clinching the title.
India gear up for Rajkot Test
The third Test between India and England is scheduled to commence on February 15 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. However, the Indian cricket team faces several challenges ahead of the match. The form of Shreyas Iyer is a primary concern, with his lackluster performance in the first two Tests prompting speculation about his inclusion in the third Test.
To address this, the Indian team management may opt to replace Iyer with Sarfaraz Khan, given his impressive domestic record. Additionally, the team grapples with an inexperienced middle order, hindering their batting potential.
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