Former Australia opener Simon Katich has questioned whether Rohit Sharma has a future at the top of India's Test order after his "damning" numbers in the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Speaking to Star Sports following the conclusion of the final Test of the series which saw the trophy back in Australian hands, Katich commented on whether Rohit had the desire to extend his Test career. "Those numbers are not for pretty reading," said Katich. "Test cricket isn't a place for 37-year-olds at the top of the order. History suggests that, and only Rohit Sharma knows whether he has got the hunger to go on."
Rohit endured a run of low scores after joining up with the India squad following their win in the first Test in Perth. His scores read 3, 9, 10, 3 and 9 before he dropped himself for the Sydney Test, with Jasprit Bumrah again standing in as captain for the final game. Those scores are part of a pattern of form for Rohit over the last nine months. Since he scored a century against England in March in Dharamsala, he has passed 50 only once in 15 innings, and been dismissed before reaching double figures in 10 of those outings.
Katich: Rohit has a future in stand-up comedy
On the second day of the Sydney Test, Rohit gave an interview to Star Sports in which he states his continued desire to play Test cricket and captain India. Commenting on the interview, Katich said: "I saw in that interview, very well spoken. There's no doubt he has a future after he is done playing cricket in stand-up comedy because his humour was very good.
"If you look at the numbers, they are damning. We saw it in this Test. It was very selfless of him to opt out of the Test... Only he knows whether he has the hunger and drive at 37 to go again. England is not going to be an easy series."
"Please don't do such nonsense. These antics don't look nice."
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) January 4, 2025
Rohit Sharma has criticised Sam Konstas for his on-field run-ins with India players.
READ: https://t.co/c4x5HmrDPp pic.twitter.com/w6YTX7kVft
India's next Test assignment will be against England later in the year, with their loss in Sydney having knocked them out of contention for the World Test Championship final. Rohit enjoyed a successful run on India's last visit to England in 2021 - the year before Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took over as England's Test coach-captain duo. He was India's highest run-scorer in that series, averaging 39.37 and scoring a memorable century in India's win at The Oval.
"England are on their way up," said Katich. "They have some good young quicks coming through. Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse are doing well. I dare say that will be a tough tour if he chooses to go on it and the Indian selectors pick him, first and foremost."
Rohit's next opportunity to play international cricket will be in India's ODI series against England next month, which precedes the Champions Trophy.
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