Border Gavaskar Trophy: Moving down the order is the real reason for Rohit Sharma's downfall?

Veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara has shared his views on Rohit Sharma's struggles in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, attributing his poor form to the change in his batting position. Pujara believes the decision to move Rohit from his usual opening spot to the middle order has not only disrupted his rhythm but has also caused uncertainty in his approach. This shift, according to Pujara, has impacted Rohit's natural game, leading to his underwhelming performances so far in the series. Rohit Sharma, typically a reliable and consistent opener, has found it challenging to adapt to the number six position in the batting order. The change came after Rohit missed the first Test in Perth due to personal reasons, allowing KL Rahul to open the innings in his absence. Rahul seized the opportunity, performing well enough to retain his spot at the top of the order when Rohit returned to the playing XI for the second Test.

Border Gavaskar Trophy: Things going bad to worse for Rohit Sharma

While the team management’s decision to keep Rahul as an opener was backed by his recent success, the resulting shift for Rohit has yielded disappointing results. Batting in the middle order requires a different approach, and Rohit appears to be struggling to adjust his mindset and technique to suit the role. Pujara emphasized that such disruptions in a batter's position can greatly impact confidence and momentum, especially in high-pressure series like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. For India to succeed, regaining Rohit's form and clarity will be crucial as the series progresses.

In the ongoing Australia vs India third Test in Brisbane, Rohit Sharma’s struggles continued as he managed just 10 runs off 27 balls in the first innings before edging a delivery from Pat Cummins to the wicketkeeper. This dismissal further highlights Rohit’s challenges in finding form during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, particularly after being moved to the middle order. The lack of runs from Rohit, a key figure in India’s batting lineup, has become a growing concern for the team as they look to secure an advantage in the series.

Veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara weighed in on Rohit’s dismissal and shared his perspective. Pujara believes that the ongoing struggles stem from the disruption caused by Rohit’s batting position shift. The change, which saw him move from his usual opening role to number six, has likely unsettled his approach. Pujara emphasized that such adjustments can have a significant impact on a batter’s rhythm, particularly someone as accustomed to opening the innings as Rohit.

Facing Pat Cummins on a lively Gabba pitch was never going to be easy, but Rohit’s dismissal reflected both a lapse in confidence and the uncertainty in his batting approach. Pujara pointed out that for a batter of Rohit’s caliber, regaining clarity and confidence will be crucial moving forward. India will be hoping that Rohit can adapt quickly to his new role or, alternatively, find a way to restore his momentum as an opener, as his contribution will be vital for India’s success in the series.

“It wasn’t a length where you can drive. We have seen that even a fuller-length ball is hard to drive. He kind of tried to punch that ball. He should have defended that ball and allowed the ball to come to him rather than going for that ball. And I think the tough part is he hasn’t been amongst runs and that’s where the pressure is. He has been opening the innings, now he’s batting at number 6," stated senior Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara during a recent interview. 

Rohit Sharma’s form in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy has been a cause for concern. After missing the first Test in Perth due to personal reasons, his performances in the series have been underwhelming. Rohit has managed just 19 runs across three innings since his return, including a disappointing nine in the Adelaide Test. His struggles with timing and shot selection have been evident, further amplifying India’s batting woes.

This dip in form is not entirely new, as Rohit faced similar issues during the recent home series against New Zealand. In that three-match series, the experienced right-hander could only accumulate 91 runs, failing to produce the kind of impactful innings he is known for. Such consistent low scores are uncharacteristic for a batter of Rohit’s caliber and highlight his current challenges. With India depending heavily on their senior players, Rohit’s return to form will be critical for the team’s success in the remainder of the series.

India’s batting lineup has been under immense pressure in the ongoing series against a relentless Australian bowling attack led by Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. The hosts have exposed India’s middle-order vulnerabilities, leaving the team overly reliant on KL Rahul, the only top-order batter in consistent form. Rahul’s ability to counter the tough conditions has provided some stability, but the lack of contributions from others has amplified the team’s struggles.

The team management’s decision to retain KL Rahul as an opener is understandable given his excellent form. However, this move has pushed Rohit Sharma to an unfamiliar middle-order role, where he has struggled to make an impact. Rohit’s poor returns have added to India’s woes, raising concerns about the overall balance of the batting lineup. Reverting Rohit to his preferred opening slot might appear to be a logical solution, as it could help him rediscover his rhythm and confidence. However, such a change risks disrupting KL Rahul’s momentum, which has been one of India’s few positives in this series. The management faces a tricky dilemma—finding the right combination that can shore up India’s batting without compromising their limited success. Balancing Rohit’s experience and Rahul’s form will be key as India look to bounce back against Australia’s formidable attack.