Rohit Sharma’s woeful run of form in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy continued despite his return to the opening spot for the Boxing Day Test against Australia.
The Indian skipper, who batted at No. 6 in the second and third Tests, managed to score only nine runs across two innings at the MCG.
Rohit's average after the twin failures in Melbourne stood at 6.20, the lowest-ever for a touring captain in a Test series Down Under (minimum five innings). No wonder, his performance against Australia (31 runs in five innings) has come under severe scrutiny.
Ahead of the fifth and final Test match at SCG, former India head coach Ravi Shastri said he would not be surprised if Rohit Sharma calls time on his Test career.
Speaking on The ICC Review, Shastri suggested the Indian captain to play without any baggage if he is selected for the Sydney Test.
Notably, India head coach Gautam Gambhir refused to confirm Rohit’s place in the XI on the eve of the fifth BGT Test.
“If I was anywhere near Rohit Sharma, I'll tell him, ‘Just go and smash it. Just go out there and have a blast’,” Shastri said on The ICC Review.
“Just as it is when you're trying to play the way you are at the moment, it's not looking great. Go out there and take the attack to the opposition and then let's see what happens.”
Rohit missed the series opener in Perth due to paternity leave. In his absence, Jasprit Bumrah led the Indian team to 295-run victory, and Shastri admitted the end of Sharma’s career could come quickly.
“He'll take a call on his career but I won't be shocked at all (if Sharma retires) because he's not getting younger,” said Shastri.
“There are other young players in the wings, there's Shubman Gill, a player of his quality averaging over 40 in the year 2024 and not playing.
“It tricks your brain as to what is he doing sitting on the bench and warming it. So I won't be surprised but it's his call.
“At the end of the day, if India had qualified for the World Test Championship (Final) or if they still qualify for the World Test Championship Final, then it's another thing altogether.
“Otherwise, I think it might just be the opportune time - but (if Sharma plays) he should go out with a blaze of glory,” he further remarked.
Rohit Sharma called time on his T20I career after leading India to the T20 World Cup triumph last year. He remains poised to captain his country in the ICC Champions Trophy 2024, though his faults against the red-ball have been under the microscope given the extended lean patch in recent months.
“I think from the outside when I see it, I think he's a little late on the ball,” Shastri noted.
“His feet aren't moving as well as they normally do. Even at his prime, his footwork was minimal, but there was more. He was more towards the ball. At the moment, I think he's caught on the crease.
“It is much like (Usman) Khawaja in the Australian team, where you're neither forward nor back. And I think when Rohit is moving more towards the ball and the intent is there to take on the opposition, that's when the right signals go from the brain to the feet to do what they have to do.
“I want him to just get out there, smash it, try and win this Test match. You might have lost a Test. You have not lost the series as yet. Try and win this Test match to keep that Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“It’s going out there and not playing his natural game (that’s affecting him).”
Trailing 1-2 in the series, India are facing a must-win situation in the fifth and final Test against Australia at the SCG to retain the coveted Border-Gavaskar trophy. Moreover, the visitors need to win in Sydney to have any chances of making it to the upcoming World Test Champions final.
(With ICC Inputs)
