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In Defence of Rohit Sharma

sage

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sage

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In Defence of Rohit Sharma: A Critique of Criticism Following the Recent Series Against Australia

Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team's opening batsman, has long been one of the most talented and elegant players in world cricket. His ability to play scintillating knocks, especially in limited-overs cricket, has earned him a place among the best of his generation. However, following the recent series against Australia, Rohit has found himself at the centre of intense criticism, with many questioning his form and contributions. In this essay, I aim to defend Rohit Sharma, arguing that the criticism directed at him is unwarranted, and that his value to the Indian team goes beyond the statistical numbers of any single series.

1. A Consistent Performer Over Time

It is important to acknowledge that Rohit Sharma's career has been one of exceptional consistency and brilliance. He has been a key figure in Indian cricket for over a decade, with an impressive list of achievements, including multiple centuries in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Test cricket, as well as remarkable performances in major tournaments. His leadership abilities have also been honed through his captaincy of Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he has guided the team to multiple titles.

To judge a player's entire career based on a few games in a single series undermines the consistent value they bring to the team over a long period. It is easy to overlook the fact that players like Rohit Sharma, who have a wealth of experience, often play vital roles in big matches, even when their individual performances may not be headline-grabbing in every series.

2. The Nature of Modern Cricket: A Team Effort

In any cricket team, no player operates in isolation. A batsman’s performance is heavily influenced by several factors, including the quality of the opposition, the conditions, and the state of the match. Rohit Sharma's performance in the recent series against Australia must be analysed in the context of these factors. Australia is a top-tier cricketing nation with a formidable bowling attack, and the pitches in Australia are notoriously challenging, particularly for batsmen unfamiliar with the conditions. Moreover, Australian bowlers have a knack for exploiting even the slightest weaknesses in their opponents' technique.

Despite these challenges, it is essential to remember that cricket is a team sport, and individual performances, while important, do not always reflect the larger contribution that a player may make in a given series. In this context, while Rohit may not have scored as many runs as some would have hoped, it is important to evaluate his impact on the game holistically, taking into account factors such as his role in building partnerships, absorbing pressure for other batsmen to score, and his leadership in fostering a positive team environment.

3. The High Expectations Surrounding Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma has set extraordinarily high standards for himself, particularly in limited-overs formats. His double centuries in ODIs and the three World Cup titles he has helped India secure are some of the most significant milestones in Indian cricket history. However, with these remarkable feats come equally high expectations from fans and analysts alike. As the captain of the Indian team in limited-overs cricket and one of the mainstays of the batting line-up, Rohit is often expected to perform match-winning feats on every occasion.

This unrelenting expectation can sometimes skew the perception of a player’s performances, especially when they go through lean patches. It is critical to remember that even the best players in the world go through difficult phases, and no player is immune to the ups and downs that are a natural part of any career. A few quiet games, particularly in a challenging series against a quality opponent like Australia, do not diminish Rohit's stature as a top-class player.

4. The Psychological Toll of Criticism

An undercurrent of the criticism directed at Rohit Sharma stems from the pressure that international cricketers face in the public eye. In today’s digital age, social media amplifies every failure, often magnifying mistakes to an extraordinary degree. This constant scrutiny can be mentally exhausting for players, affecting their confidence and form. The cumulative psychological toll of such criticism can sometimes impact a player’s ability to perform at their best.

Rohit Sharma, as a senior member of the squad, is tasked not only with performing on the field but also with shouldering the responsibility of leading by example. This can be particularly challenging when faced with the burden of public expectation. Instead of focusing solely on his recent performances, it is vital to support and encourage him, acknowledging the mental resilience required to thrive at the highest level.

5. Rohit's Leadership and Future Contribution

Rohit Sharma’s leadership in the 50-over format has been lauded for its strategic approach and calm demeanour. Under his captaincy, India has flourished in ODIs, with a near-unstoppable record in bilateral series. While his individual performances may not always grab the headlines, his influence as a leader cannot be overstated. His ability to manage different personalities, build team morale, and lead from the front is invaluable to the Indian squad.

Looking ahead, Rohit’s leadership and experience will be crucial in shaping India's future success, particularly in major tournaments like the ICC World Cup. The criticisms following the series against Australia should not cloud the bigger picture of his long-term potential and value to the Indian team.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Rohit Sharma remains one of the most talented and valuable players in world cricket. The criticisms he faced after the recent series against Australia, while understandable in the heat of the moment, fail to consider the broader context of his career and the demands placed on him as a player and a leader. It is essential to recognize that every cricketer, even those with extraordinary records, will experience periods of inconsistency. However, it is through patience and belief in his abilities that a player like Rohit Sharma will continue to inspire and lead India to future victories. Instead of writing him off after one series, fans and analysts should rally behind him, knowing that he will rise to the occasion when the team needs him the most.

 

 

 

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vvvslaxman Grand Master

vvvslaxman

Posted
Posted

Rohit the test player got more than he deserved.

 

Rohit never had a calendar year where he made 1000 runs.

Rohit's home average is 51 But average is pathetic 31 with just 2 centuries in 31 tests

His performance as a captain

 

24 tests 1254 runs 30.58 avge

 

His best overseas series is 4 tests 368 runs 52.57 avge

 

He missed some tough tours due to "injuries"

 

These are his own personal issues. When you combine this with his horrendous captaincy he should have been treated just like any other players not some test superstar who deserves a long run.  He should have been dropped right after NZ fiasco. I don't think any captain in Indian history was more responsible for a single series loss than him. That includes Tendulkar, Vengsarkar. 

 

 

 

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Prabhdeep Singh Proficient

Prabhdeep Singh

Posted
Posted (edited)

I know many negatives have been discussed here, the positives which are unique to Rohit and represents a commendable legacy:


All formats combined:

 

Most number of boundary sixes in international cricket.

 

48 100’s scored in international cricket, joint 3rd with Rahul Dravid amongst Indians.

Part of Indian team that since 2013, won 2 ICC tournaments, 5 times ICC runner ups, 4 times ICC semi finalists.

 

Tests:

 

12 test 100’s all in wins, to put it in perspective his contemporaries Virat has scored 14 100’s in wins, Pujara has scored 13 100’s in wins but they have played double the number of matches.

 

Number of very good innings played on some dodgy Indian rank turners. 

 

Only 4 bad months from Sep to Dec has caused the recent downfall, 8 test matches, 14 poor innings out of 15. In hindsight it would have been good if he retired from Tests also after t20 WC final, his Career average was 45, now it is 40.

 

Was a key part of the 2019-2021 and 2021-2023 wtc cycles averaging 51 with 6 100’s.

 

Drawn a Test Series in SA as a Captain, only the 2nd Indian captain after Dhoni.

 

Looked great as an opener in England 2021 tour.

 

Part of great Indian side that was undefeated in a series at home for 12 years.


ODI’s:

 

3 Double 100’s in ODI cricket, most by any player.

 

Highest individual ODI score of 264, highest by any player.

 

Most 100’s in ODI World Cups with 7.

 

Won ODI Champions Trophy as a player in 2013.

 

Won ODI Asia Cup as a player in 2010.

 

Won ODI Asia Cup as a Captain in 2018.
 

Won ODI Asia Cup as a Captain in 2023.

 

T20I’s:

 

Won T20 WC as a Captain in 2024.

 

Won T20 WC as a player in 2007.

 

Won T20 Asia Cup as a player in 2016.
 

PS: A pretty decent record considering he has underachieved, can you imagine if he really focused on fitness etc. Most entertaining Indian batsmen after Virender Sehwag. Great pull and hook shot. Don’t care too much about IPL, I could have also included IPL related stats above but I did not. In addition, I am not part of any paid PR just a genuine Indian cricket fan.

 

Edited by Prabhdeep Singh
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Ultimate_Game Grand Master

Ultimate_Game

Posted
Posted
3 minutes ago, BlueBlood said:

Idiot at least be honest and say you copy pasted ChatGPT response.

 

 

 

When this is the IQ of a typical India fan, how can you expect BCCI and selectors to drop likes of Rohit and Kohli or things to change in Indian cricket? They're gonna take the easy way out and keep these two over the hill players in the team coz if getting clean swept at home to an average NZ team and losing to a beatable Aus team due to these two "stars" doesn't change anything for most of the fans, why shake the boat?

 

In corporate world terms, if you've a good thing going why take risk and innovate when you can get a check without doing anything? We've already seen Rohit & Kohli fans blame Bumrah, bowlers, Jadeja, Ashwin, Pant, Gambhir, youngsters etc. so I guess nothing will change even if they continue till WC2027 and keep on losing as usual due to their non-performance.

 

These moronic, low IQ fans would rather see India lose with Rohit and Kohli than win without them. That's the reason we deserve the current BCCI admins, selectors, and will continue to under-perform at intl level.

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