Mumbai Indians are struggling in the ongoing IPL 2023. They started disastrously by losing all 4 games but improved, only slightly, winning 2 games. Rohit at the top of the order is not able to provide the team with flying starts with Ishan Kishan too playing sedately. Gavaskar feels Rohit needs to rest. Perhaps, there is merit in such an argument. More than IPL, it is India that needs a fully fit and committed Rohit Sharma for the WTC Final at Lord’s. If taking a break from cricket will do him a world of good, so be it.

“I would like to see some change in the batting order [for Mumbai Indians],” Gavaskar said on Star Sports after Mumbai Indians lost by 55 runs to Gujarat Titans on Tuesday. “Honestly, I would also say that Rohit should maybe also take a break for the time being, and keep himself fit for the World Test Championship [final]. [He can] come back again for the last few matches, but right now, [he should] take a little bit of a breather himself.”

Rohit’s game does not suit T20

Rohit is not a natural at T20 cricket. He is someone who needs time to get into a groove before unleashing the range of shots that he is capable of. T20 cricket is a complete anti-thesis of how Rohit plays. Viewed from that angle, it is only natural that Rohit has not been at his fluent. Not just this year but over the last 2-3 years. Added to that is his lack of fitness. He is not a natural athlete.

In T20, in keeping with the modern trend, he tries to go overboard way too quickly. Contrary to how he wants to proceed. As a result, either he gets out too soon or he does not go onto a bigger match-defining score. He clearly is out of sorts in this format of the game. It was all too visible while playing for India and now, it is becoming increasingly visible in the IPL too.

There are bigger things ahead

Captaincy has come to Rohit towards the end of his career. He made his debut much before Kohli but his inability to perform consistently ensured that he was not the natural successor to Dhoni. Instead, it was Kohli who usurped him.

The WTC Final will be held in the 2nd week of June. 10 days from the end of the IPL. This is the game that is much more important than any IPL Trophy. India has not won any ICC tournament in 10 years though they have repeatedly threatened to do so. Rohit had a couple of opportunities to set the record straight but in both tournaments, India fell short.

Rohit is in the twilight of his career. He is unlikely to be around in any format in a couple of years from now. Already, he is not in the scheme for the Indian T20 squad. Pandya has taken over the mantle from him for T20. Every scenario points to Pandya leading India in the 2024 T20 World Cup in West Indies. If Gujarat Titans win the IPL 2023, it will be confirmed.

Under such an eventuality, Rohit has only a couple of opportunities to leave an imprint on the Indian cricketing scene as a captain. He missed that one opportunity to win a series in England and become only the 4th Indian captain to do so. He again missed a golden chance to win a series in South Africa and become the first-ever Indian captain to do so. Yes, he has won quite a few series against Australia, England and New Zealand but they have all come at home. Rohit desperately needs a tournament win so that his legacy is intact. Inorder to do so, he has got one opportunity in just over a month.

Mumbai cannot qualify

There is no way Mumbai will be able to qualify for the playoffs. They are all but certain to be ruled out. They will have to win all their remaining games to atleast be in contention but judging by their progress so far, that is ruled out. Hence, Rohit will do well to heed Gavaskar’s advise. Gavaskar himself has commented that,  “It’s going to be a miracle that’s going to make them qualify [for the IPL playoffs],” Gavaskar said. “The way they are at the moment, yes, they could conceivably finish [at number] four, but they will have to play some extraordinary cricket, both batting as well as bowling.”

Not long ago, Rohit himself talked about the importance of winning the WTC Final and keeping the players fresh for the summit clash. Let us not be in any illusion of us winning the last couple of Test series in Australia. In England that too with The Ashes coming up, Australia will be completely prepared. They will be tough to defeat never mind the recent series defeat in India. India needs to be at their best to defeat the best and Rohit must lead the team from the front. He was the standout Indian batsman during the 2020 England tour. He has come a long way after starting to open the innings. With the suspect Pujara, Kohli and Rahane in the squad, everything depends on the start Rohit provides the team with.

Wrapping up Gavaskar feels Rohit needs to rest

Gavaskar is right in suggesting Rohit take a break until the WTC Final. Perhaps, a few games in English County can help him to get into the red-ball groove.  Well, this is against taking a break but a red-ball game, away from the eyes of everyone, if Rohit can score runs there, it will not only increase his confidence tremendously but it will also help the Indian team enormously. Rohit must remember that he does not have too many tournaments in him to imprint his legacy as an Indian captain.

Other IPL blogs

Ben Stokes

Pant’s absence

RCB at the start

G & G

IPL Timings

Rohit Sharma

Delhi’s struggle

Explore More

So the Perth Test

So the Perth Test

So the Perth Test. Well, well, well, one more edition of the BGT Trophy is upon us and it has already heated up. The Australians, be it current or former

Read More

The role of a cricket captain

Cricket, like any other team sport, requires strong leadership to succeed. The captain of a cricket team is responsible for more than just making on-field decisions. They are the face of the team, the link between the players and the management and the driving force behind the team’s success. In this article, I will dwell on the various roles and responsibilities of a cricket captain. The role of a cricket captain. On-field decision making One of the most crucial roles of a cricket captain is to make tactical decisions on the field. They have to read the pitch, the conditions and the opposition team and make decisions that can swing the game in their team's favour. Once these things are studied, analysed and accounted for, the crucial decision of what to do if the toss is won must be decided. Here the captain can invite free and frank discussion with the team but the ultimate decision rests with the captain. There are so many instances of the captain being vilified for choosing the wrong option after winning the toss. The most famous instance is that of Nasser Hussain opting to bowl at the Brisbane Gabba all those years ago only for Hayden, Langer and Ponting to pummel the English bowlers into submission. Once, the team is on the field, he is all alone. Sure, the captain can always consult with the teammates but the flow of the game will be such that he will be required to take instant decisions based on nothing more than a hunch. The captain has to decide which bowler to use, when to change the field and when to declare or set a target. A good captain can sense the momentum of the game and make decisions that can turn the tide in their team's favour. Team selection: The captain plays a vital role in team selection. They have to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their team and pick the right players to fill the various positions. They have to consider the pitch and the conditions while selecting the team. They also have to factor in the form and fitness of the players before making a decision. A captain who can pick the right team can give their team a significant advantage. Being the captain is a thankless job. Far too many times, they are required to take some tough decisions. That is the reason Ganguly’s and Kohli’s decision of leaving the highest wicket-taker of their sides out of the playing eleven was hard to digest. They were based on sound cricketing logic rather than anything else. Motivation and inspiration: A captain is also responsible for motivating and inspiring their team. They have to instill a sense of belief and confidence in their players, especially during tough times. A good captain can lead by example, displaying a positive attitude and working hard on and off the field. They have to encourage their players to give their best and never give up. Captains lead by example is a phrase often heard in cricketing circles. It is not without reason. Motivated and performing captains often inspire the entire team to achieve greater heights that they may not have otherwise. Media and public relations: A cricket captain is also the face of the team in the media and public. They have to attend press conferences and interviews and handle questions from journalists and fans. They have to present a positive image of the team and communicate the team's goals and objectives. They also have to handle criticism and negativity in a professional manner. Captains can never lose their composure. The media may invent non-existent rivalries or rifts. Captains will have to deal with them calmly. Role model and mentor: Finally, a cricket captain is a role model and mentor for their players. They have to set an example in terms of discipline, work ethic, and team spirit. They have to mentor the younger players and help them grow and develop their skills. They have to create a culture of excellence and teamwork within the team. Far too often, Asian teams, especially Indian teams have this habit of seniors and juniors. The Indian teams of 70s, 80s and 90s were faction driven. Juniors were not treated well and as equal by the seniors. The situation was quite bad until the turn of the millennium. Ganguly changed all that. Now, it is a team of equals. Wrapping up the role of a cricket captain In conclusion, the role of a cricket captain is multifaceted and complex. They have to make tactical decisions on the field, select the right team, motivate and inspire their players, handle media and public relations, and be a role model and mentor for their team. A good captain can make a significant difference to their team's success, and their leadership skills can be the difference between winning and losing.

Cricket, like any other team sport, requires strong leadership to succeed. The captain of a cricket team is responsible for more than just making on-field decisions. They are the face

Read More

Batting slowly must depend on the situation

Batting slowly must depend on the situation

If you are given an option of watching 2 batsmen bat. One who is exceptionally sedate and he is scoring at 22 and the other who is extremely aggressive and

Read More