Fear of failure. A very common phrase, and an often-used one when it comes to elite, high-performance sport. If we ever needed an example of a player impacted by it, Rohit Sharma in Nagpur was one. In his desperation to succeed, Rohit looked apprehensive. Anxious and subdued, he wasn’t remotely close to what he was in World Cup 2023. In fact, back then, he was able to give India the starts because he did not care about failure. He looked purposeful and determined.
In Nagpur, things were very different. He seemed scared and was conscious of not getting out. Eventually, the shot he got out to was a nothing one. Neither did he go full-blooded, nor did he defend. It was as if his muscle memory was saying something, and his mind something very different. The end result was a nothing loft.
It is painful to see Rohit bat like this. Searching for form and answers. A mind mired in contradictions, with no real answers in sight. With two more matches to go for the Champions Trophy, Rohit is well and truly up against it. Unless he scores some big runs, it will be hugely difficult for him in Dubai. And questions will be asked about how he gets picked ahead of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who will likely be the one to sit out.
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How does Rohit get his mojo back? He is India’s captain for the Champions Trophy and the signs are worrying. We need him to score runs, and unless be does, it will be a real issue in Dubai. The only way is for Rohit to genuinely believe that he can do it. Bat with some freedom and unshackle himself of the fear of failure. Easier said than done, but there is no other option before him. As the team travels to Cuttack, all eyes will be on him.
India won in a canter, but many Indian fans would have found it kind of bittersweet. With a knee problem sidelining Virat Kohli and ODI debuts for Jaiswal and Harshit Rana, this was a peek into the post-Champions Trophy future. Ever since he and Shikhar Dhawan batted up a storm at the top of the order in the 2013 edition, Rohit has been a vital cornerstone of India’s ODI plans. If Kohli was the silken glove, Rohit – with three explosive double-centuries to his name – was the iron fist that softened up the opposition. That India suddenly can’t rely on what they’ve taken for granted for well over a decade is the biggest worry facing Gautam Gambhir, the coach.
This series is not an end in itself. Rather, it is all about being best prepared for the Champions Trophy. That’s where Rohit’s form takes centre stage. He is not looking the part, and all the participating teams will know it. They will attack him knowing he is low on confidence. Clearly, the next two matches are massive for him. To get his mojo back. For himself, and for India.
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