"He has scored only one fifty in 8 innings" - Aakash Chopra on Rohit Sharma's indifferent recent Test numbers after IND vs NZ 2024 2nd Test
Aakash Chopra has noted that Rohit Sharma has endured a lean run in Test cricket lately. He pointed out that the Indian skipper has scored only one half-century in his last eight innings at home and doesn't have a great overall record as captain either.
India are 0-2 down in the ongoing three-match Test series against New Zealand. Rohit has aggregated a paltry 62 runs, including a 52-run knock in the second innings of the Bengaluru Test, in four innings. The opener managed only 42 runs in his four innings in the previous series against Bangladesh.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener observed that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have reached the 50-run mark just once in the last two series.
"In the last two Test series thus far, he has scored only one fifty in eight innings, the same as Virat Kohli. So obviously there will be questions. However, how are his numbers if we talk about India's Test captains who have captained in at least 20 matches in the last 50 years?" he said (5:35).
Chopra highlighted that Rohit also has a below-par record since he took over as India's Test captain.
"Virat Kohli is at the top of that list, with an average of 54 in 68 matches. Sachin Tendulkar had an average of 51 in 25 matches, Sunil Gavaskar had an average of 50 in 47 matches, Rahul Dravid had an average of 44 in 25 matches, and Mohammad Azharuddin had an average of 43 in 47 matches," he noted.
"MS Dhoni had an average of 40 in 60 matches and Sourav Ganguly had an average of 37 in 49 matches. Dada had only five centuries in 49 matches and Rohit Sharma is below him. He has scored 1,194 runs at an average of 35 in 20 matches. The average of 35 as a captain in 20 matches, that's not sitting right with me personally," Chopra added.
Chopra pointed out that Rohit has scored four centuries in 20 matches as skipper. He acknowledged that even Rahul Dravid had scored four centuries in 25 matches but added that the former India head coach had a better average and had scored 10 half-centuries while Rohit has only four fifties to his name.
"Rohit Sharma has scored 1,181 runs but the average is 36.9" - Aakash Chopra on opener's underwhelming home record since 2020
![Rohit Sharma has struggled against both pace and spin in the last two home series. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/ee29c-17300912268222-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that Rohit Sharma doesn't have a great record at home since 2020 either.
"I also saw the stats of Indian batters at home since 2020. Rohit Sharma has scored 1,181 runs but the average is 36.9. Shubman Gill has an average of 41. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant are the only two shining stars. Jaiswal has scored 1,056 runs at an average of 66 in nine matches," he said (7:00).
The reputed commentator added that Rohit's indifferent numbers are hurting India.
"Rishabh Pant has scored 753 runs at an average of 50. Apart from both of them, Rohit is at 36 and Virat Kohli is at 32. So this is hurting us a little because Rohit has a slightly middling average if we see 19 matches at home since 2020. Not good enough actually," Chopra observed.
Chopra concluded by highlighting that Rohit's form is going to be a point of discussion. He added that the Indian captain needs to fire in the final Test against New Zealand and the five matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy if the two-time runners-up harbor hopes of reaching their third consecutive World Test Championship final.