Under pressure, Rohit needs to let his bat do the talking

Languid and easy. Two words that have often been used to describe Rohit Sharma can so easily, depending on form, come to mean fatigued and lazy. Many would be leaning towards the latter interpretation now.

- Amrit Mathur

MELBOURNE:

As talk of a big player's retirement swirled around the press box at Gabba on Thursday, the India skipper's name was mentioned more than once before being eventually ruled for lack of evidence. But even the fact that Rohit was mentioned points to just how disappointing his stay at the wicket have been on this tour and in this year.

In the two matches (three innings) that Rohit has spent in the middle, he has scored 19 runs at an average of 6.33. It isn't just the lack of runs though. The Aussies have looked like they have got his measure.

"I have not batted well," Rohit said, acknowledging his meagre returns.

"There is no harm in accepting that but I know what is in my mind and how I am preparing. All those boxes are very much ticked. It is just about spending as much time as possible (at the crease). I am pretty sure I am just there."

The "just there" business is a spotty one at the best of times. In 2024, across 13 matches, the India skipper averaged 26.39. Takes only the New Zealand series (at home) and the Australia series into account and across five matches, he has averaged just 12.22.

"As long as my mind, body and feet are moving well, I am pretty happy with how things are panning out for me," Rohit said on Wednesday. "Sometimes, numbers tell you that it has been a while since (a batter) has got big runs but for a person like me, it is all about what kind of prep I am having before each game and how I am feeling about myself.

"I am feeling good about myself to be honest. Runs are not showing that but inside it is a different feeling."

Rohit's shift to the middle-order has yielded scores of 3, 6 and 10 this series. And while it is good for the team because KL Rahul has benefitted from the promotion to the opening slot, what does this mean for the skipper - in the long and short term?

At 37, Rohit doesn't have a lot of time. He needs to make every