Rohit Sharma’s struggle in red-ball cricket continues. And the India Cricket Team captain has faltered in the IND vs NZ 2nd Test in Pune. After a duck in the first innings, Rohit managed yet another single-digit score in the second innings as well. With India tasked to chase a massive score of 359 runs, hopes were high on Rohit playing a big innings, but alas.
Yashasvi Jaiswal gave the hosts a good start and Rohit Sharma reciprocated with a boundary. But then he was cleverly trapped by a brilliant ball from Mitchell Santner. The Kiwi leggie set the trap for Rohit with a couple of quick deliveries and then went on to deceive him with a slow ball, beaten by flight and given a simple catch at short square leg.
Rohit Sharma hasn’t been that great in Test cricket in 2024. He has two hundred and 2 fifties to his name in the entire year. His last fifty came in the Bengaluru Test, but this Test has been a complete flop show from him. A duck in the first innings and a mere 8-run knock in a massive 359-run chase.
Rohit Sharma in Tests in 2024
| 1st Innings | 2nd Innings | Runs | Opposition | Ground |
| 39 | 16* | 55 | v South Africa | Cape Town |
| 24 | 39 | 63 | v England | Hyderabad |
| 14 | 13 | 27 | v England | Visakhapatnam |
| 131 | 19 | 150 | v England | Rajkot |
| 2 | 55 | 57 | v England | Ranchi |
| 103 | – | 103 | v England | Dharamsala |
| 6 | 5 | 11 | v Bangladesh | Chennai |
| 23 | 8 | 31 | v Bangladesh | Kanpur |
| 2 | 52 | 54 | v New Zealand | Bengaluru |
| 0 | 8 | 8 | v New Zealand | Pune |
Trouble before BGT?
Rohit Sharma’s poor form in Test cricket does sound ominous bells. India’s next assignment is the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. And the India captain needs to fire on all cylinders to lead the charge for the visitors. The next Test in Mumbai, his hometown can be a perfect opportunity for Rohit to get back to his form.
Apart from the crucial BGT series, World Test Championship (WTC) points are also up for grabs. For India to secure their spot in the WTC Finals, the Hitman has to hit!
