India captain Rohit Sharma has faced growing calls to return to domestic cricket to rediscover his red-ball form following a disappointing series against Australia.
After India’s 1-3 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former cricketers and fans alike have voiced concerns over Rohit’s commitment to Test cricket. Among them is former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar, who has suggested that Rohit needs to demonstrate his hunger for the longest format by participating in domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy.
Bangar’s Message to Rohit
Bangar, speaking on Star Sports, emphasized the importance of leading by example. He pointed out that even experienced players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have gone back to the domestic circuit to prove their worth.
“When you are 37 years old, every failure hurts because a cricketer is a very proud person. When he sees the kind of performances he’s had in the past but can’t replicate them, and when young players are performing well, these factors weigh heavily on his mind,” Bangar said.
“He needs to determine whether he still has the hunger to play Test cricket. If he does, that hunger must reflect in his actions.”
Pujara and Rahane Set an Example
Bangar drew comparisons between Rohit and senior batters Pujara and Rahane, who were dropped from the national side but showed their commitment by grinding it out in domestic cricket.
“There’s been a lot of talk about playing domestic cricket. Players like Pujara and Rahane, who are on par with Rohit Sharma in stature, have been dropped in the past but have shown their hunger by playing in domestic cricket. Even today, they are sweating it out on domestic grounds, which is a big drop from the intensity of international cricket,” Bangar explained.
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“If Rohit follows through and performs in domestic cricket, no one can stop him. But that form and hunger must be evident,” he added.
Team India’s head coach has also been of the same opinion.
Team Management Criticized for Being Reactive
Bangar didn’t stop at Rohit. He also criticized the Indian team management for their reactive approach to team selection during the series. He pointed out that Nitish Reddy’s unexpected performance put the selectors in a dilemma.
“The combination of Nitish Reddy with Washington Sundar or Ravindra Jadeja created confusion. When there is an in-form player, it’s hard to drop him. The team management seemed to react as the series progressed rather than being proactive,” Bangar noted.
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