New Delhi, January 19, 2024
In the dramatic conclusion with 2 super overs in last match of T20i series between India and Afghanistan, Along with Kohli's match winning fielding Rohit Sharma's century has become the talk of the town, not for its brilliance but for the lingering question it raises – was this a knock for the team or a calculated effort to secure an arguably undeserving spot in the upcoming T20 World Cup? The innings, marked by an agonizingly slow start and the subsequent impact on the team's performance, ignites a debate that delves into Sharma's recent T20I struggles and whether his credentials merit a place in the World Cup squad.
The innings in the third T20I against Afghanistan was a tale of two halves. At one point, Sharma's laborious 27 off 33 balls was reminiscent of a Test match scenario, The subsequent to a 41-ball fifty, while individually commendable, did little to alleviate the pressure Sharma's earlier innings had imposed on the team. In fact, it played a role in allowing Afghanistan, without their main bowling arsenal, to tie the match against a team of India's stature.
The statistical evidence against Rohit Sharma's T20I credentials is overwhelming, with key indicators showcasing a stark decline in his performances against top teams and in high-pressure situations. His record against the top five teams in the last three World T20 tournaments paints a grim picture – 88 runs off 99 balls, averaging 10.9 with a strike rate of 88.8. In the last five T20 chases, Sharma's contributions have been abysmal, with consecutive single-digit scores including 4 ducks reflecting a struggle to anchor run chases.
A closer look at his performances against specific opponents in the T20 World Cups further emphasizes the inconsistency , Avg and Sr Against Pak : 03.66, 68.75 , Aus :12.00, 70.59 , SA: 15.00, 107.14 , Eng: 27.00, 96.43, these stats are far from reassuring. The numbers tell a story of a player who has faltered consistently on the grand stage, raising questions about his ability to perform when it matters the most.
Rohit Sharma's IPL statistics since 2017, considered a breeding ground for T20 talent, mirror his T20I struggles. With an average of 21.84 and a strike rate of 127.5, Sharma's contributions have been modest at best, challenging the narrative of him being an automatic selection for the T20 World Cup.
The century against Afghanistan, though individually a milestone, forces us to question its motive. Was it an altruistic effort for the team's cause, or was it a calculated innings designed to secure Sharma's place in the upcoming T20 World Cup squad, a place that many argue he no longer deserves based on recent performances?
As the T20 World Cup draws near, the onus is on the Indian cricket selectors and team management to critically evaluate Rohit Sharma's recent performances and assess whether his contribution is in the best interest of the team or merely a personal quest for validation. The century against Afghanistan, though impressive on its own, demands scrutiny for its timing and context, leaving the cricketing fraternity in anticipation of the decisions that lie ahead.
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