‘Real Hunger’ of Rohit Sharma under fire; Ex-NZ pacer doubts 2027 ODI World Cup 'fire'

Rohit Sharma's hunger questioned by Simon Doull [Image Credits: X]

Since his retirement from Test cricket, every ODI series has felt like a dream run for Virat Kohli, who has returned to form in impressive fashion. However, the same cannot be said for India’s ‘Hitman’ Rohit Sharma.

After a semi-successful series against South Africa in November, Rohit began his Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign with a solid 155-run knock. He then suffered a golden duck in the very next match against Uttarakhand, which marked the beginning of his lean patch.

Rohit Sharma's poor run in review by Simon Doull

Addressing Rohit Sharma’s struggles in the New Zealand ODI series, former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull questioned the veteran batter’s motivation to continue playing the format, especially when compared to Virat Kohli’s visible hunger and energy on the field.

Speaking on air during a Star Sports Network commentary session in the third ODI between India and New Zealand, Doull expressed his views on what he described as Rohit Sharma chasing a “pseudo-goal.” He questioned Rohit’s real hunger for the game and his motivation ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

"I feel with Rohit, he's always had something to chase, as in a goal in mind, whether it be a T20 World Cup, whether it be a 50-over World Cup. I just wonder, that 27 World Cup in South Africa, is that too far away? 

Does he have that real hunger? Maybe it's just, I mean, it's different every year, isn't it? Because we're building up. We seem to be building up as national sides, no matter who you are. Each year, you're building up to a different format of an ICC event, aren't you?” Doull said.

Notably, Rohit Sharma endured a poor outing in the New Zealand ODI series, scoring 61 runs across three innings at an average of 20.33. He managed scores of 26, 24, and 11, with below-par strike rates, further highlighting his slide back into poor form.

Doull wants Rohit to make most of every opportunity

Simon Doull also raised concerns over the lack of ODI cricket for India over the next six months, suggesting that the long gap could further dull Rohit Sharma’s competitive edge.

"The last little while and coming up for the next two weeks, we're building up to a T20 World Cup. So there's very little one-day cricket played in the last four months and in the next three or four months. 

Next year, I'm guessing, or later this year and going into next year, there'll be an absolute diet of 50-over cricket. When you're only playing one format, you don't get huge amounts of opportunities. The next time he's in the Indian uniform will be, what, July in the UK? It's a long way away," Doull concluded.

Following his disappointing performances against New Zealand, Rohit Sharma is next expected to be seen in India colours on July 14 during India’s tour of England. 

Rohit Sharma's recent downfall

While Rohit has shown a remarkable transformation in his fitness and displayed elite-level athleticism on the field, his batting has not reflected the same improvement in the New Zealand ODI series.

In contrast, Rohit Sharma performed strongly during the South Africa series, where he scored 146 runs from three matches at an average of 48.67.

However, between December 2025 and January 2026, his ODI batting average dropped to 30.00. Earlier, between August 2025 and December 2025, he averaged an impressive 86.3 from four matches, which included two half-centuries and one century.