Prateeksha Thakur
New Delhi, 8 Feb 2025
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in on Rohit Sharma’s ongoing struggles with form, emphasizing that the only way for the Indian captain to silence his critics is through strong performances. Rohit, who returned to the ODI squad after six months, had a disappointing outing in the first match against England, managing just 2 runs off 7 balls in Nagpur on February 6.
The Indian skipper has been enduring a rough patch, scoring only 164 runs in eight Test matches recently at an average of 10.93, with just one half-century. His poor form has led to mounting questions about his place in the team and his future as India’s captain, with concerns especially heightened ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Ashwin expressed his support for Rohit, acknowledging that it must be frustrating for him to constantly face scrutiny. The former spinner pointed out that as a seasoned player, Rohit would be well aware that such discussions are inevitable, especially when a key player is not performing. However, Ashwin stressed that the only way for Rohit to put these questions to rest is by delivering strong performances on the field. He also expressed hope that the Indian captain would find his rhythm soon and score a century in the ongoing series against England.
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Despite Rohit’s struggles, India secured a convincing four-wicket victory in the first ODI, thanks to stellar performances from Shubman Gill (87), Shreyas Iyer (59), and Axar Patel (52), who helped chase down England’s total of 249. However, Rohit’s failure remained a major talking point, given the significance of India’s upcoming fixtures.
The second ODI will be played at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on February 9, offering Rohit another opportunity to make an impact. With important tournaments ahead, performances in this series will be crucial for the team’s preparations.
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