Border Gavaskar Trophy: Captaincy taking a toll on Rohit Sharma's batting?

India captain Rohit Sharma's ongoing struggle with the bat is impacting his leadership during the India vs Australia Border Gavaskar Trophy, according to former teammates Harbhajan Singh and Cheteshwar Pujara. The experienced opener has been in poor form, managing only one half-century in his last 12 Test innings, a worrying stretch that includes eight single-digit scores. Hopes of a revival were dashed when Rohit, batting in the middle order during the second Test in Adelaide, could muster only three and six runs across two innings. The move to change his batting position, likely aimed at alleviating pressure, failed to yield results, leaving the team in a precarious situation.

Border Gavaskar Trophy: Is captaincy creating massive pressure on Rohit Sharma's batting?

Harbhajan and Pujara believe that Rohit's batting woes have started affecting his decision-making as captain. Harbhajan suggested that the added pressure of leading the team and his personal form might be creating a mental burden, while Pujara emphasized the importance of rediscovering his rhythm to lead by example. Both veterans stressed that Rohit’s form is crucial for India to bounce back in the series and achieve their goal of reaching the World Test Championship final. With the series poised at 1-1, the Indian captain faces a crucial test in the upcoming match at The Gabba in Brisbane. As Australia builds momentum following their 10-wicket win in Adelaide, India needs Rohit to regain his touch and inspire confidence both with the bat and his leadership to keep their championship hopes alive.

Rohit Sharma missed India's dominant victory in the opening Test in Perth due to personal reasons, as he stayed back to care for his newborn son. His absence, however, did not affect India's performance as they secured a comprehensive win. When he returned to lead the team in the Australia vs India second Test in Adelaide, expectations were high for the experienced skipper to continue India’s momentum. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse as India suffered a 10-wicket defeat at the hands of Australia. Commentators and analysts criticized Rohit's captaincy during the Adelaide match, describing it as overly defensive.

Experts noted that his tactical approach lacked the aggression and adaptability required to counter Australia's dominance, both with the bat and ball. This, coupled with his own batting struggles, further compounded India’s challenges on the field. Rohit’s inability to seize key moments and apply pressure on the opposition was seen as a missed opportunity to steer India back into control during critical phases of the game. With the AUS vs IND Test series now tied at 1-1, Rohit’s leadership will be under scrutiny in the crucial third Test at The Gabba. The team will rely on him to recalibrate his strategies, inspire confidence in his squad, and make impactful decisions to reclaim their edge in the series.

"No matter how big a player is, he is always worried about his performance. There is no doubt that when a player scores runs, he makes better decisions. Let's hope that Rohit Sharma scores some runs so that his captaincy gets better," said former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh. 

Cheteshwar Pujara, a pivotal figure in India’s historic Test series win in Australia during the 2018-19 season and Player of the Series back then, expressed his belief that runs from Rohit Sharma’s bat could significantly impact his captaincy. According to Pujara, regaining form with the bat might make Rohit a more proactive and confident leader, helping him to steer the team more effectively in critical moments. Meanwhile, India is likely to see a change in their batting lineup as KL Rahul, who opened in the first two Tests, may shift to the middle order for the remainder of the series. This adjustment would pave the way for Rohit Sharma to reclaim his role as an opener, partnering with the talented Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top of the order.

The upcoming India vs Australia third Test, set to take place at The Gabba in Brisbane starting Saturday, holds immense significance. With the series tied at 1-1, both teams will aim to secure a crucial lead. For India, this match is an opportunity to regain momentum, and Rohit’s performance as both an opener and captain will be under intense scrutiny. His ability to deliver in these dual roles could prove decisive for India’s chances in the series.