India’s skipper, Rohit Sharma, endured another disappointing outing in the first ODI against England in Nagpur, scoring just 2 runs before being dismissed cheaply. His underwhelming performance has left fans frustrated and raised concerns within the cricket fraternity. As his barren run extends to the ODI format, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has sounded the alarm, suggesting that Rohit is feeling the pressure, and India could be facing a major issue if his form does not improve soon.
Manjrekar Raises Concerns Over Rohit’s Form
Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, Manjrekar emphasized that ODI cricket provides the best opportunity for batters to find form, particularly for those in the top three. He expressed concern that if Rohit fails to deliver in this series and the upcoming Champions Trophy, India could be in trouble.
The manner of his dismissal will frustrate him—it’s evident the pressure is mounting. If scoring remains a challenge in the 50-over format, it signals a deeper concern. This is the best format for a top-order batter to get runs and regain confidence. If we don’t see the best of Rohit Sharma soon, it could be a worrying sign for India.”
India Triumphs Despite Rohit’s Failure
While Rohit endured another disappointing outing faltered with the bat, Virat Kohli’s absence due to injury meant that India had to rely on its younger stars to deliver. Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and Axar Patel stepped up, guiding India to a 4-wicket victory in the series opener. Their contributions proved crucial as the hosts successfully chased down England’s total.
Rohit Remains Optimistic Despite Personal Struggles
Speaking after the match, Rohit acknowledged the team’s overall performance but admitted that they needed to improve upon avoiding quick wickets at the end.
“Pretty happy. We all knew we are playing this format after a long time. They started well, but the way we fought back was superb. Gill and Axar showcased exceptional batting prowess, anchoring the innings with precision and flair in the middle. Nothing specific, just want us as a team to keep doing the right things as much as possible.”
With two ODIs remaining in the series and the Champions Trophy on the horizon, all eyes will be on Rohit Sharma to see if he can break free from this slump and rediscover his form before India’s biggest tournament of the year.
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