Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricketing stalwart and captain of the Mumbai Indians, began the IPL 2024 season with a blazing start, amassing 261 runs in the initial six games. However, his form took a nosedive as the tournament progressed. In the subsequent six matches, Rohit struggled to find his rhythm, managing only 69 runs. This decline was accompanied by a significant drop in his strike rate, which plummeted from 167 in the first half of the tournament to 115 in the latter half.
Former South African captain Shaun Pollock expressed concern over Rohit’s sudden loss of form, noting that earlier discussions suggested Rohit’s improved performance was attributed to being relieved of the burden of captaincy. However, recent performances have contradicted this narrative. Pollock acknowledged that Rohit would likely be disappointed with his recent struggles, especially considering his promising start to the season.
“I presume for the last few weeks, there has been a few conversations about trying to pick the Indian team. With that stress of finding the right balance, which player should be picked, all of a sudden, you are back in captaincy mode…. The naming of the side, going to the press conference, explaining why you have picked a certain may have added to the stress,” Pollock attached.
Pollock highlighted the manner of Rohit’s dismissals, suggesting that they would be particularly disheartening for the seasoned batsman. In a recent match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rohit was visibly distraught after getting out to a Pat Cummins delivery, where he mistimed his shot and gave a simple catch to Heinrich Klaasen. This emotional reaction from Rohit, captured in viral visuals of him nearly breaking down in the MI dressing room, underscored the intensity of his disappointment.
Pollock also speculated that Rohit’s focus may have shifted towards the upcoming T20 World Cup, potentially affecting his batting form in the IPL. Despite Mumbai Indians having slim chances of making it to the playoffs, Rohit will aim to utilize the remaining two league games to regain his batting form and confidence ahead of the World Cup. The objective is to ensure he enters the tournament in prime form, rather than having to search for form amidst the high-pressure environment of the global competition.
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