Rohit Sharma’s challenges in Test cricket have deepened in 2024, raising concerns over his form. The Indian captain faced another setback in the ongoing three-match Test series against New Zealand, struggling once again to make an impact. In the third Test at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium—his home ground—Rohit failed to deliver during India’s chase of a 147-run target. Opening with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit walked out determined but was dismissed in the third over. Attempting a trademark pull shot off a short-pitched ball from Matt Henry, he mistimed it, resulting in a top edge that Glenn Phillips caught with a brilliant backward run.
Throughout this series, Rohit Sharma has scored just 91 runs across six innings, averaging 15.17. His lone notable contribution came in the second innings of the Bengaluru Test, where he scored 52 runs. Excluding that performance, Rohit has consistently struggled to find stability against New Zealand’s bowlers. His overall Test average for 2024 has dipped below 30 (29.40), marking his lowest yearly average since he took on the role of opener in 2019. Ironically, Rohit has thrived in T20 cricket this year, posting an impressive average of 36.13 and a strike rate of 154.66—both career highs in a single season.
Rohit Sharma’s struggles in Tests this year extend beyond New Zealand. In the previous series against Bangladesh, he managed only 42 runs at an average of 10.50.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel has caused problems for India’s batting lineup, dismissing Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill cheaply. With five wickets down, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja are now aiming to build a crucial partnership as India pushes to reach the 147-run target.
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