Rohit Sharma Struggles in Last Two Matches; India Coach Flags Concerns

Indian cricket star Rohit Sharma has been underperforming in the last two matches, prompting questions from the Indian team’s coaching staff about his current form.

Coach Raises Concerns
India’s assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate acknowledged that all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, despite getting opportunities, “did not contribute significantly.” He further stated that Rohit, after playing two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches, is still “not getting enough cricket in.” In the second ODI against New Zealand, Reddy, who was the only change in India’s playing XI, failed to make an impact with either bat or ball, resulting in a 7-wicket loss for the host team.

Speaking about Rohit, Doeschate said, “Both wickets were good for the new ball. Batting wasn’t easy. If you look at the first ODI, Rohit was not in the rhythm he usually maintains. This will be a challenge for him, especially when there isn’t enough cricket between two series.”

When asked whether Rohit deliberately adjusted his batting approach due to the pitch, Doeschate replied, “I don’t think it was a conscious decision. He is a dangerous player, but fundamentally he thrives on rhythm. He relies on timing, so when the wicket isn’t perfect, it becomes difficult for him to maintain his usual flow.”

KL Rahul’s Position Discussed
Doeschate also commented on KL Rahul’s form, suggesting he could bat at number five. “Given Rahul’s current form, he is suitable for the fifth position. He has scored a brilliant century, and wicketkeeping in 50-over cricket can affect performance. This is not about protecting him.” He added, “Over the past 18 months, our strategy has been to lengthen the batting order. We prefer to use all-rounders either in the top order or at number five, as we have done earlier with Washington Sundar.”

With India aiming for consistency in the ongoing series, all eyes will now be on Rohit Sharma to bounce back and deliver the performances expected of a senior star.