"He is short of confidence with self-doubts” - Sanjay Manjrekar critiques Rohit Sharma’s lean patch in BGT 2024-25
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes skipper Rohit Sharma's poor batting form has stemmed from a lack of confidence and self-doubts. After a decent start to 2024, Rohit has hit rock bottom since the home Test series against Bangladesh in September.
The 37-year-old has averaged under 12 in his last 13 Test innings with only one 50+ score. Rohit has batted at No.6 in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy but to no avail, scoring only 19 runs in three innings at an average of 6.33.
Speaking about Rohit's dismal run in the ongoing Australia series, Manjrekar said (via on ESPNcricinfo):
"He is short of confidence with self doubts. And bit of a rude shock when he played in that home series against New Zealand and his defense was getting breached on Indian pitches." [0:17]
Rohit averaged under 16 in India's embarrassing 0-3 home Test series whitewash against New Zealand before the ongoing Australian tour.
The veteran batter gave up his opening spot to the in-form KL Rahul since returning to the side in the second Test against Australia, thanks to Rahul's impressive showing in the series opener in Perth.
"Just gone to pieces, his defense" - Sanjay Manjrekar on Rohit Sharma
Sanjay Manjrekar believes Rohit Sharma's defensive game has been deserting him during his run of poor Test form, contrary to his brilliant performance in England in 2021.
The veteran batter scored 368 runs in four Tests of the 2021 England tour at an average of 52.57 and a strike rate of 42.49. Beyond the numbers, Rohit's ability to bat for long hours earned him massive praise during that series.
"So for someone, who in 2021 when he had that terrific series in England, and scored a strike rate of 42, which is a bit Pujara-like and the entire series he batted for about 21 hours. This was a new discovery for all of us and now when he has to bring that game back, he just can't find the defensive game. So that's where the problem lies - Just gone to pieces, his defense," Manjrekar said in the same discussion [0:28].
He added:
"I remember commentating on that series ( 2021 England) and kept saying 'this is Pujara-like', the way he was grinding away. And I thought it was the rebirth of Rohit Sharma, the Test cricketer, who got those two centuries in his first two Tests. I also felt this is his true calling, this is what he loves to do - which is playing for time like a typical Mumbai batter."
Despite recent struggles, Rohit boasts impressive Test numbers — 4,289 runs at an average of 41.24, including 12 centuries in 66 outings.
However, his numbers in Australia make for poor reading with an average of 26.68 in nine Tests.