India's cricket captain Rohit Sharma faces growing scrutiny after another disappointing performance with the bat. His struggles continued during the decisive third ODI against New Zealand in Indore on Sunday.
Another Modest Outing Raises Concerns
Rohit managed just 11 runs from 13 deliveries in the series decider. This modest contribution extended what has become a noticeable dip in his batting form. The veteran opener's recent performances have sparked serious discussion about his current motivation levels.
He now plays only one format of international cricket. Rohit Sharma retired from T20 Internationals and Test cricket last year. His sole remaining commitment is to India's ODI team.
Sharp Decline in Recent Months
The contrast with his previous success is striking. Rohit earned Player of the Series honors during India's ODI contest against Australia last year. However, he has failed to maintain that standard in recent months.
His output against South Africa showed some promise with 146 runs across three matches. Yet his performance dropped significantly during the New Zealand series. Rohit accumulated only 61 runs throughout the entire three-game contest.
Commentator Questions Future Motivation
Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull voiced concerns during his Star Sports commentary. He questioned whether Rohit still possesses clear career objectives to drive his performance.
"I feel with Rohit, he's always had something to chase," Doull observed. "Whether it be a T20 World Cup or a 50-over World Cup, he's had specific goals. I just wonder if the 2027 World Cup in South Africa seems too distant for him now. Does he maintain that same hunger?"
Doull highlighted the cyclical nature of international cricket scheduling. "Each year teams build toward different ICC events. We're currently building toward a T20 World Cup, so there's been minimal ODI cricket recently. Next year will bring a heavy schedule of 50-over matches."
Limited Opportunities in Single Format
The commentator noted the challenges of specializing in just one format. "When you're only playing ODIs, you don't get many chances," Doull explained. "Rohit's next appearance in Indian colors likely won't come until July in England. That's a considerable gap between matches."
Kohli Shines Amid Team Struggles
While Rohit endured a difficult series, Virat Kohli delivered standout performances for India. The former captain finished as the series' top scorer with 240 runs at an impressive average of 80.
Kohli registered a century during the final ODI in Indore. His excellent individual effort ultimately came in a losing cause as India fell short against New Zealand.
The contrasting fortunes of India's two most experienced batsmen have become impossible to ignore. Kohli continues to demonstrate his world-class abilities while questions mount about Rohit's future contributions.
This situation places additional pressure on India's team management. They must decide how to handle their captain's form slump with major tournaments approaching.
