NEW DELHI: From the high of winning the T20 World Cup in June to being severely criticised and viciously trolled by the end of the year and his spot in the Test team being questioned, Rohit Sharma has seen the extremes of cricket in just six months.
But all said and done, the Indian captain has been a white-ball colossus and with the ICC Champions Trophy set to get underway from February 19, Rohit is expected to have a shot at redemption.
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One-day cricket is the go-to game for Rohit – the only cricketer in the world to smash three double hundreds in the format and one among six Indians to score 10,000 ODI runs.
And before the Champions Trophy, India will play a three-match ODI series against England and that will give Rohit adequate match practice and assess his gameplan before the ICC tournament.
Rohit had led India from the front in the 2023 ODI World Cup, finishing the tournament as the second-highest run scorer (597 runs) after Virat Kohli (765 runs).
The flying starts that Rohit gave with the bat at the top of the order was one of the reasons for India’s unbeaten streak right through to the final.
Under Rohit, the team played so well that even though India fell at the final hurdle against Australia, there was hardly any criticism for the brand of ODI cricket played by Rohit and his men throughout the tournament.
In the Champions Trophy, Rohit has played 10 matches scoring 481 runs at an average of 53.44 and a strike rate of 82.50. His lone hundred in the tournament was an unbeaten 123 that came against Bangladesh at Birmingham in the 2017. He has also hit four half-centuries in the two editions that he played (2013 and 2017).
But Rohit’s mindset will be a crucial element in his ability to fight back and succeed in the Champions Trophy.
Rohit has a proven track record in ODIs and he will not only have to trust his natural timing and shot-making ability, but would also look to dominate bowlers once he’s set and that will keep him motivated as the inning progresses.
By staying calm and not letting external pressures – like criticism or expectations – affect his game, Rohit will be able to build patiently rather than go for quick fixes and 50 overs will give him ample time to do that.
As captain, leading from the front with consistent performances will boost his, and the team’s, morale and staying mentally strong for the team’s sake would reinforce his sense of responsibility.
There is no doubt that by maintaining a positive, resilient, and fearless mindset, Rohit can fight back and dominate ODI cricket once again. His ability to focus on the process, adapt to challenges, and channel his hunger for runs will be critical in reclaiming his top form in the Champions Trophy.
Cricket is a game of highs and lows, and Rohit’s experience has taught him to treat both success and failure equally and he understands that some failures won’t define his career, but consistent efforts will.
