Since the 2nd ODI got over, the focus has shifted from India’s performance to Rohit Sharma, who is reported to play his final game for India on July 19 at the Mecca of Cricket, Lord’s. Reports suggest that the BCCI has conveyed to Rohit that the management now wants to groom Yashasvi Jaiswal as Shubman Gill's opening partner for the 2027 World Cup.
Fitness and form have been labelled as the two reasons by the selectors for moving on from Rohit Sharma. The Hitman has struggled in the England series with just 37 runs in 2 innings. The 39-year-old has been fighting to keep his place in the team for the past two years, but it seems he will have to come to terms with the idea of not having an ODI World Cup in his cabinet.
Moreover, Rohit has been part of a bigger problem that has consistently haunted India after the 2023 World Cup. While India have statistically been more comfortable with chasing totals, their misery while setting targets has been the primary reason behind their recent struggles in ODIs.
India’s persistent struggle while batting 1st decoded
If we look at the data, then in the 2019-2023 cycle, India played 50 matches batting first, where they won 33 and lost just 14, recording a win percentage of 66.
Criteria
Data
Matches Played Batting 1st
50
Matches Won
33
Matches Lost
14
Win %
66%
(India's record while batting 1st in 2019 to 2023 ODI Cycle)
On the contrary, If we look at the same data from 2023 up until now, India have played 11 ODIs batting first, won 5 and lost 6, registering a win percentage of 45.5. It all began with the 2023 World Cup final, and to make things worse, the Men in Blue have lost 5 of their last 7 ODIs while batting 1st.
Criteria
Data
Matches Played Batting 1st
11
Matches Won
5
Matches Lost
6
Winning%
45.5%
(India's record while batting first since 2023 ODI World Cup Final)
Notably, till the 2023 ODI World Cup, Rohit Sharma upgraded his style and donned the selfless version, where he utilised the powerplay and focused on quick-hitting rather than long and slow knocks. However, since the 2023 ODI World Cup final, the 39-year-old has not been the same and has struggled with the bat, especially while batting first.
Rohit Sharma among culprits of collapse with Axar Patel and Washington Sundar
Criteria
Rohit
Axar
Sundar
Matches
9
7
8
Runs
266
139
85
Average
29.55
19.85
10.62
Strike Rate
84.98
75.93
86.73
100/50
0/2
0/0
0/0
(Rohit, Axar and Sundar's ODI record while batting 1st after 2023 WC final)
If we look at the players who have been repeatedly faltering, then the likes of Rohit Sharma, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar come out on top. India’s opening and their middle-order have been a mess going into the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Even in the 2nd ODI between India and England, the visitors were cruising at 178/3 and lost the next seven wickets for just 55 runs.
If we look at Rohit Sharma’s stats, the 39-year-old has amassed just 266 runs in 9 innings while batting first since the 2023 ODI World Cup final. The Hitman averages 29.55 and has even failed to score a solitary century.
Player
Runs
Average
Rohit Sharma
266
29.55
Virat Kohli
388
48.5
Shubman Gill
374
53.42
Shreyas Iyer
329
47
KL Rahul
427
53.37
(Comparing Rohit Sharma with his peers while batting 1st after 2023 WC)
Comparing his stats with his peers, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer all have performed much better than the former Indian captain while batting 1st in this period.
Now, looking at the lower middle-order, Axar Patel averages 19.85 with the bat while batting first, while Washington Sundar has been shambolic with just 85 runs in 8 innings.
Hence, it is pretty clear that the trio has been performing well below the standard maintained by their peers, chiefly contributing to India's misery when they have batted first.
What Does This Pattern Indicate?
India are already planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup. South Africa will host the event, and India have a reputation to maintain, as the Men in Blue reached the finals they last played an ODI World Cup in the Rainbow Nation.
South Africa will offer tricky pitches where the ultra-aggressive mode in powerplay might not work. The surface will offer pace, bounce and significant lateral movement, which could make things difficult for an ageing Rohit Sharma.
Given his recent torrid run with the bat, India actually need a more dependable opener alongside Shubman Gill, particularly while batting first.
Rohit as a batter has been doing decently, even getting a fifty against Afghanistan. However, batting first has been a real issue, and the Hitman has averaged less than 30.
Therefore, the BCCI is not to be entirely blamed if they are looking for Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal to gel and form a chemistry as an opening pair till the 2027 ODI World Cup.
India’s luck with the toss needs no introduction, which is why the fans will surely see them bat first a lot in the upcoming ICC events. Coming to Washington Sundar and Axar Patel, India need proper batters in the lower middle-order rather than two all-rounders who are inconsistent with the bat and might look clueless on pacey South African wickets.
The two had the perfect opportunity to cement their place in the 2nd ODI, but neither of them took responsibility, batted deep, and showed maturity. Now, due to the lack of options in the middle-order, Washington and Axar Patel still have time to impress the selectors.
Conclusion: Is BCCI Right To Sideline Rohit Sharma For 2027 ODI World Cup?
It will be wrong to assume that everything is perfectly fine within the Indian team. Rohit Sharma has not been the same, and it is a tough pill to swallow. The 39-year-old has seen a significant dip in his game, but the board and team can still utilise his experience.
Had the decision been made after the 2025 Champions Trophy, it would have been a perfect farewell. But forcing one of the finest of white-ball cricket a year before the marquee 50-over event seems to be a little hard done by.
Further, the issue here for Rohit Sharma is that there are plenty of in-form batters knocking on the door for the opener’s slot. Hence, even a slight failure makes everyone turn their eye towards Yashasvi Jaiswal and think, and rightly so, what has this young man done wrong to not deserve a place?
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Rohit Sharma - (Source: AFP)
