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Rohit Sharma only tallied 61 runs in three innings against New Zealand. (CREIMAS)
Rohit Sharma had a forgettable series during India’s 2-1 defeat to New Zealand over the past week, failing to convert his starts in each of the three outings. Coming into the series as the No. 1 batter in the ODI format after a superb run in Australia and against South Africa at home late last year, Rohit scored 26 and 24 in the first two games, falling to mistimed strokes.
Soon-to-be 39, Rohit, on Sunday fell on 11 as India were chasing a daunting 338 against the Kiwis at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Suffering a top-order collapse, India were rolled over 296, losing the series with a 41-run defeat. India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate had recently stirred controversy after terming the senior India opener to be short on game time post the loss to the BlackCaps in the second ODI in Rajkot.
“He’s definitely not the sort of guy to play for himself. It’s just a combination of the wickets being slightly difficult and maybe just being a little bit short on cricket leading into the series,” ten Doeschate had said.
However, when questions were placed over Rohit’s immediate form despite his stellar 2025 season, skipper Gill came to the former captain’s defence.
“I think he’s been in terrific form, even right through from the Australia series, even in the South Africa series. As I said, you won’t always be able to convert the stars that you get. And I think he got some starts in the first couple of ODIs,” Gill told reporters at the post-match press conference.
“As a batter, you always want to convert those stats and always want to make it count and make it into hundreds. But it’s not possible to do it every time. But at the same time, that’s something that you always strive to do,” he added.
Doull questions Rohit’s ‘hunger’
After Rohit’s dismissal in the decider, former New Zealand bowler Simon Doull questioned the Mumbaikar’s hunger to continue in the ODI format through to the next World Cup in 2027.
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“I feel with Rohit, he’s always had something to chase, a goal in mind, whether it be a T20 World Cup or a 50-over World Cup. I just wonder, that 2027 World Cup in South Africa, is that too far away?
“Does he have that real hunger? Maybe it’s just different every year, isn’t it? Because we’re building up. We seem to be building up as national sides, no matter who you are. Each year, you’re building up to a different format of an ICC event, aren’t you?” questioned Doull.
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