India captain Rohit Sharma faces mounting criticism for his poor form and leadership struggles following the team’s home Test series loss to New Zealand and a tough Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign in Australia. According to a report by The Times of India, Rohit’s role in the Indian Test setup may come to an end after the ongoing series, though his retirement from Test cricket might not be immediate.
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Rohit’s Struggles Under the Spotlight
Rohit’s recent performances with the bat have been underwhelming, with a series of low scores adding to the pressure on his captaincy. The possibility of his exclusion from the final Test in Sydney has fueled speculation that the current series may mark his last in the longest format. Head coach Gautam Gambhir, however, refrained from confirming Rohit’s place in the XI, stating that the final decision would depend on the match-day pitch conditions.
“Everything is fine with Rohit, and I don’t think it’s anything traditional. The head coach is here, and that should be good enough. We will finalize the team after assessing the wicket tomorrow,” Gambhir said during a press conference.
Kohli’s Potential Return as Test Captain
As Rohit’s future in the Test format hangs in the balance, reports suggest that Virat Kohli may assume a leadership role once again. Kohli, who stepped down as India’s most successful Test captain, is reportedly taking a more active role on the field, often addressing team huddles and guiding younger players.
Kohli’s captaincy record speaks volumes, with 68 matches under his leadership yielding 40 wins and only 17 losses. He also led India to a historic 2-1 Test series win in Australia during the 2018/19 tour. Given the selectors’ apparent hesitance to trust younger players with the captaincy, Kohli’s return could provide much-needed stability and experience to the side.
Virat Kohli Set for Leadership Role in Tests Amid Rohit Sharma’s Uncertain Future.
What Lies Ahead
India’s ongoing series against Australia remains critical. The team must win the final Test in Sydney to level the series and keep their chances alive for the World Test Championship Final. If Rohit is benched for the match, it could signify a turning point for Indian cricket, potentially marking the end of an era while paving the way for Kohli’s leadership resurgence.
For now, the cricketing fraternity eagerly awaits the Sydney Test, which could determine both the team’s immediate future and the leadership trajectory of Indian cricket.