Rohit Sharma Emphasizes Importance of Next 5 Months in Determining Future, Ready to Step Out of Virat Kohli's Shadow: 'Just like Sachin, Dravid…'

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta emphasized the importance of the next few months for Rohit Sharma's future as a captain. He noted that the expectations and parameters for Rohit as a leader would be different from those of Virat Kohli. Dasgupta urged not to compare Rohit and Virat, suggesting that each player should be evaluated individually. Drawing parallels to the Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid era, he highlighted the need to understand and appreciate the unique leadership qualities of each player.

Rohit's stunning dip in the 2024/25 season

Kohli averaged 22.47 in 19 innings in the 2024/25 Test season, scoring a total 382 runs. It has to be noted, though that Kohli had scored a century in one of those innings, which means he scored just 282 runs in 18 knocks. While that is bad for any player, let alone of of Kohli's stature, Rohit's numbers are far more worrying. The Indian captain scored just 164 runs in 15 innings at an average of 10.93 with one half century to his name. Rohit's case is also not helped by the fact that he is now 37 and could be over 40 by the time the upcoming WTC cycle ends.

"For Rohit, the next five months of predominantly international white-ball cricket and the IPL will be crucial. The weight of his performances in these formats will be telling. Beyond that, factors like his first-class cricket form, fitness levels, and performance in the Champions Trophy will also be important. The final decision rests with the selectors," said Dasgupta.

Rohit's place as captain of the Test team has also come under the scanner with India losing five of the last six Tests in which he led. This included an embarassing 3-0 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand at home which ended India's record breaking winning streak in home Tests. Rohit ended up dropping himself for the last Test of the series against Australia, which India lost by six wickets and they thus conceded the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade.

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