Sanjay Manjrekar puts Rohit Sharma on blast, exposing him to the world.

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Sanjay Manjrekar puts Rohit Sharma on blast

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes that Rohit Sharma’s recent batting struggles are rooted in a lack of confidence and self-doubt. Despite a promising start to 2024, Rohit has been out of form since the home Test series against Bangladesh in September.

In his last 13 Test innings, Rohit has averaged under 12, with just one half-century to show for it. His performance in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 has been equally disappointing, managing only 19 runs in three innings at a poor average of 6.33.

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Prior to the current Australian tour, the veteran Indian opener averaged below 16 during India’s 0-3 Test series defeat to New Zealand at home. However, in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Rohit Sharma has been batting at No. 6, with KL Rahul having cemented his place at the top of the order.

Sanjay Manjrekar said by ESPNCricinfo: “He is short of confidence with self-doubts. And a bit of a rude shock when he played in that home series against New Zealand and his defense was getting breached on Indian pitches.”

Manjrekar Added: “So, for someone who, in 2021, when he had that terrific series in England, scored at a strike rate of 42, which is a bit Pujara-like, and the entire series he batted for about 21 hours. This was a new discovery for all of us, and now when he has to bring that game back, he just can’t find the defensive game. So that’s where the problem lies—just gone to pieces, his defense.”

Manjrekar Continued Adding: “I remember commentating on that series (2021 England) and kept saying, ‘This is Pujara-like,’ the way he was grinding away. And I thought it was the rebirth of Rohit Sharma, the Test cricketer, who got those two centuries in his first two Tests. I also felt this is his true calling; this is what he loves to do, which is playing for time like a typical Mumbai batter.”

The ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is currently tied 1-1, with India winning the first Test in Perth and Australia claiming victory in the second Test at Adelaide. The Gabba Test ended in a draw, and now the fourth Test in Melbourne will be crucial in determining the outcome of the series.