Test form of Rohit Sharma a growing concern for India?

The performance of Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma in Test cricket, particularly in the ongoing India vs Bangladesh match in Chennai, has raised concerns about his ability to lead from the front in red-ball cricket. Sharma, who has been an integral part of India's batting lineup across formats, is facing a rough patch in Tests. His dismissals for scores of 6 and 5 in both innings of the Chennai Test continue his struggles against Bangladesh, where he now averages a dismal 9.75 in Test matches​.

Rohit Sharma continues his red-ball struggle against Bangladesh in Chennai

This poor run is not a new phenomenon for Rohit Sharma in the Test arena. While he has excelled in white-ball cricket, his performance in Tests, especially away from home and against certain opponents, has been inconsistent. Bangladesh, in particular, remains a team he has failed to dominate. His low scores in Chennai came after scratchy innings where he looked unsettled against the Bangladesh pace attack, with young seamer Hasan Mahmud accounting for his wicket both times​.

Rohit Sharma has consistently displayed issues against pace, particularly when faced with deliveries that move away from him, are well-known. His dismissals in Chennai, especially his tentative footwork against both seam and swing, suggest that these problems persist. Additionally, his tendency to push at deliveries outside the off-stump has led to frequent dismissals behind the stumps, a pattern seen in both innings of the Chennai Test​.

Looking back at Sharma's recent Test outings, the picture does not improve significantly. While he managed occasional standout performances in early 2023, particularly in home conditions, his form has been patchy, particularly in tougher overseas conditions. In recent Test series, such as India's tours of South Africa and the home series against England, Sharma was witnessed struggling to ace consistency. In the 18 innings, the skipper has played in the ongoing WTC cycle, he has managed to average a subtle 41.82, notching 711 runs. Though he is registered as India’s second-highest run scorer in the current cycle, Sharma’s inconsistency up the order raises concern over India’s chances in the WTC final.

The ineffective performance of Indian top-order exposed in the India vs Bangladesh Test 

Sharma's inconsistency has undoubtedly impacted the Indian team. As the captain, much is expected of him, not just tactically but also as a leading batsman. What adds to the woes of the Indian team is that Virat Kohli is no longer in the same consistent form he once displayed. Kohli is struggling as badly as Sharma, if not worse. Moreover, pitched at No. 3, Shubman Gill has also proved ineffective in the order. Resultantly, the whole of Indian top-order appears to be in shambles currently. From the latest display by India, the batting order barring Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top is staging a mighty concern.

With Sharma, Kohli, and Gill ineffective at the top, the onus falls on to the middle-order. The Indian middle-order, for the ongoing series, consists of Rishabh Pant, who is tracking his way back into the format after almost 2 years. Thus, the pressure cannot rely solely on the flamboyant batter. Moreover, KL Rahul looks nowhere close to scripting a turnaround in his form. Batting against Bangladesh at Chepauk, Rahul who had to take up the anchoring role fumbled at just 16 runs. Though Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin redeemed the Indian batting, the team can’t function without a properly in-sync top and middle order.

In the ongoing India vs Bangladesh Test series, Sharma's struggles are particularly glaring given that the opposition bowling attack, while spirited, lacks the depth of top-tier Test sides like Australia or England. Mahmud, a relatively inexperienced bowler, managed to expose Sharma’s technical shortcomings, dismissing him twice with deliveries that tested his defensive techniques​.

As the Indian team eyes bigger challenges in the upcoming Test series against tougher opponents, the pressure on Rohit Sharma to find form is mounting. India’s reliance on their top order to provide solid starts, particularly in home Tests, means that Sharma's continued failures could have a cascading effect on the rest of the lineup. While Sharma's leadership has been commendable in terms of results, India have remained dominant in the home Test series, his personal form with the bat remains a significant weak link​.

The rough patch for Rohit Sharma in Test cricket is a concern that can no longer be ignored. His ongoing struggles, particularly against Bangladesh, reflect deeper issues with his technique and temperament in the longest format of the game. With the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy against the Kangaroos in Australia, India will need their captain to strike form before the race for the WTC title picks pace.