India skipper Rohit Sharma‘s continued struggles in Tests in 2024 marked a pivotal downturn in his 11-year long career. Consistent failures against both pace and spin, home and away, coupled with an inability to convert starts, exposed his technical vulnerabilities in the longest format.
A string of low scores in the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which India are trailing 1-2, particularly against quality opposition like Australia, raised questions about his place in the side.
The year 2024 turned out to be a ghastly one for 37-year-old Rohit as he scored just 619 runs in 14 Tests at a disappointing average of 24.76. He scored only two hundreds and two half-centuries during this period.
Ever since scoring a century against England in Dharamsala in March 2024, Rohit has mustered mere 154 runs, including a fifty, from 15 innings at an average of 10.26.
The final nail in the coffin came in the ongoing five-Test series against Australia with Rohit being dropped from the series finale in Sydney, as reported by TimesofIndia.com.
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Rohit, who missed the first Test due to the birth of his second child, has managed just 31 runs across five innings this series, scoring 3, 6, 10, 3, and 9 at a dismal average of 6.20, the lowest by a touring captain on Australian soil.
Critics pointed to his declining footwork and diminishing ability to dominate bowlers. His leadership in the format also came under scrutiny, with India faltering in key moments. The year underscored his fading impact, prompting selectors to explore younger options and effectively signaling the end of his Test journey.
“I stand where I am standing today. There’s nothing to think about what has happened in the past. Obviously, few results haven’t gone our way. As a captain, yes, that is disappointing. Yes, as a batter as well, a lot of things that I am trying to do are not falling into place. But, mentally, it’s disturbing without a doubt. If you have come here, you want to successfully do what you are supposed to. If those things don’t fall in place, that’s a big disappointment,” Rohit had said in the post-match presser after the Boxing Day Test at MCG.
With Rohit’s retirement from Tests imminent after his decision to step away from T20Is after the T20 World Cup triumph, a bigger question looms: Will he continue to lead India in ODIs? With the ICC Champions Trophy just a month away, speculation is rife about whether Rohit will retain the captaincy or if it marks the end of the celebrated ‘Hitman’ era.
