Rohit Sharma’s Captaincy Under Scrutiny Amid India’s Recent Struggles

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma have faced a rough start to their partnership, suffering back-to-back Test and ODI series defeats against Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Australia. However, despite recent struggles, Rohit continues to receive high praise for his leadership style, with Sanjay Bharadwaj, Gambhir’s childhood coach, backing him as the best captain.

Bharadwaj’s Vote of Confidence in Rohit Sharma

• In an interview on The Raunac Podcast, Bharadwaj was asked to pick between MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir, and Rohit Sharma in terms of captaincy.
• He chose Rohit Sharma, citing feedback from young players who describe Rohit as a fun and supportive leader.
• “They (youngsters) tell me that he (Rohit) backs you a lot. It is a lot of fun playing with him. He himself is a fun-loving person,” said Bharadwaj.

Rohit’s Recent Captaincy Struggles

• Test Struggles in Australia: India lost two Tests and drew one under Rohit Sharma during their recent tour. The captain himself managed only 31 runs in five innings before opting out of the final Test.
• 0-3 ODI Series Whitewash at Home vs New Zealand: A major setback after India’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph.

What’s Next for Rohit?

While his Test captaincy future remains uncertain, Rohit will lead India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, marking a crucial test for both him and Gambhir. As India prepares for the tournament, the duo will aim to silence critics and restore the team’s dominance on the global stage.