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.
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