Border Gavaskar Trophy: Redemption or Farewell? What lies ahead for Rohit Sharma

India is not at the top of its game down under as the team faces Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The batting order is especially struggling against the Kangaroos’ pace attack, staging consistent collapses innings after innings. The woes worsen when it’s taken into account that the core of the team is swiftly heading toward the twilight of their careers. Once the stars of the show, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are stuck in the perils of a prolonged struggle with their form. Kohli showed a glimpse of the brilliance he once showcased in Australia when he hit his 81st career ton in Perth. However, the dry run is persistently troubling the current skipper, Rohit Sharma.

The Test struggle continues for Rohit Sharma in the Border Gavaskar Trophy

Rohit Sharma joined his team late in Australia as India started the Border Gavaskar Trophy with a victory in Perth under Jasprit Bumrah’s captaincy. In Sharma’s absence, as he was on paternity leave at the time, KL Rahul claimed the opening position. Known for his ability to bat anywhere when the situation demands, Rahul played as though he always belonged in the opening spot. The batter nearly missed a ton but partnered seamlessly with Yashasvi Jaiswal to notch a record-breaking 201-run partnership.

Even before the commencement of the BGT, Rohit Sharma had not recorded a stellar run in the format with the bat during the preceding series. Thus, when he returned to reclaim his captaincy, the batter didn’t feel the need to reclaim his batting position. Rohit kept the winning pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul intact as he opted to bat in the middle order, where he had batted until 2019. However, a change in the batting position failed to impact his struggling form.

In the three innings that Sharma has batted so far in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, the captain has scored 3, 6, and 10. His collective runs down under amount to just 19 in conditions where the top order failed in Adelaide and the Gabba. Instead of lifting the lineup out of the mire, Sharma has been a key contributor to the collapses. To provide a deeper look into the situation, in the seven matches that Rohit has played this Test season, the batter has managed just one half-century. Moreover, his cumulative score across these 13 innings is just 152 runs at an average of 11.69.

Could the Border Gavaskar Trophy be the endgame for Rohit Sharma?

Fans remember Rohit Sharma as the swashbuckling batter hitting double centuries when in the groove. However, his recent outings have blurred the image of the batter Rohit once was. A ball pitched at a good length is enough to trouble the skipper in his stance. Moreover, his defensive techniques fumble in front of the in-swinging delivery. As the struggle continues, the flow of criticism and advice increases. While some cricket pundits are suggesting Sharma return to the opening position, others have called for him to bat at No. 3 to find some crucial time in the middle and regain his rhythm. Some bold voices are quick to point out the lack of fitness. However, attacks on his fitness and shape are not new for Sharma.

What’s new is the update that the Border Gavaskar Trophy could be his last series in the format. Ever since India suffered its first-ever series whitewash at home, the seniors of the team have been under scrutiny. Initial reports suggested that if the team led by Rohit Sharma fails to qualify for the WTC Final, chances of which depend entirely on the BGT, then the seniors would not travel to England. An indication of swift action came with the retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin. Gauging that the Melbourne and Sydney fixtures wouldn’t feature him in the combination, the 38-year-old spinner bid adieu to his international career.

Ashwin’s retirement has fueled discussions about the next retirements potentially being those of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Nonetheless, the Boxing Day Test and the ultimate action in Sydney remain. India has a fair chance of claiming the lead and, subsequently, another series win down under. Moreover, the victories would mean direct qualification for India in the WTC Final over the Kangaroos. However, for this prediction to come true, it’s essential for the captain to show up with the bat and execute his plans on the field. If not, even if the BGT doesn’t mark the end of his Test career, it could potentially mark the end of his captaincy tenure, as suggested by yesteryear legend Sunil Gavaskar.

“I think Rohit obviously will get the opportunity to play in the next couple of matches, that's for sure. But maybe at the end of it, if he hasn't scored runs, my feeling is that he himself will take the call,” Gavaskar had noted following the Gabba Test.

“He's a very conscientious cricketer, he will not want to be a burden on the team. He's a cricketer who cares very deeply for Indian cricket. So if he doesn't score runs in the next couple of games, I think he himself will step down.”