Rohit Sharma's Recent Struggles Vs Fast Bowling: A Roadblock To India's WTC Quest

Rohit Sharma hasn't had a great record vs Pace in Tests this year [X]Rohit Sharma hasn't had a great record vs Pace in Tests this year [X]

India had an outstanding start to their home season, registering an emphatic victory over Bangladesh in the first Test at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The hosts, led by Rohit Sharma, thrashed the visitors by 280 runs in the opening game to go one-nil up in the series. 

However, despite the outcome going in India's favour, the hosts were let down by several factors, including Rohit Sharma's abysmal batting performance. The skipper had a dismal outing with the bat, managing only eleven runs in the Test match. 

While Hasan Mahmud got his prized scalp for six runs in the first innings, Rohit was outfoxed by Taskin Ahmed, departing for five runs in his subsequent appearance. 

Rohit Sharma's Recent Test Record Vs Fast Bowling

Innings
Runs
Dismissals
Average
Dot Ball Percentage
13184726.372.1

(Rohit Sharma vs Fast Bowlers in Tests this year)

This was not the first time Rohit struggled against fast bowling in Test cricket. Contrary to his reputation, the Indian captain hasn't had a great time with the bat against the seamers this year, amassing only 184 runs at an average of 26.3.

The pacers have dismissed him seven out of thirteen times in Tests this year. Although he has faced them on almost the same number of occasions as the previous year, a sharp decline is observed in his boundary percentage versus pace bowling. 

Meanwhile, his dot ball percentage has increased, signifying that the seamers have found a way to keep the scintillating stroke player quiet. 

Reasons Behind Rohit's Struggles Vs Fast Bowling

As mentioned below, there could be two primary reasons behind Rohit's struggles against fast bowlers in Tests this year. 

  • Quality Bowling Attacks: Rohit Sharma has faced more formidable pace attacks this year than in 2023. After kickstarting the year with a Test match against South Africa's rampant bowling unit, the talismanic cricketer was up against James Anderson-led English pace attack on home soil. Furthermore, Bangladesh's pace department has grown leaps and bounds, giving the Mumbaikar a run for his money in the Chennai Test. So, facing quality bowling attacks might be a reason behind Rohit's decline against fast bowling in Tests this year. 
  • Rohit's Technical Limitations: Despite being one of the senior-most players in the Indian team, Rohit has found it tough to get going against the seaming deliveries. The fast bowlers have mostly hit the ideal length to marginalise his scoring opportunities and counter him in the longest format. In the Chennai Test, Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed consistently bowled around the fourth stump channel, moving the ball both ways from that region. So, while he is still able to counter swing bowling, the seamers have been a headache for Rohit in the purest format. 

How Can Rohit's Woes Vs Pacers Affect India's WTC Campaign?

With their place in the WTC final still uncertain, India must aim for comprehensive wins in their impending New Zealand and Australia series, making Rohit's performance against fast bowlers of the utmost importance. 

However, both these teams have robust pace attacks, studded with seamers who can trouble Rohit with their thunderbolts. Although Rohit could overpower Southee and co. at home, how he deals with the holy trinity of Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under will pretty much determine India's fate in the World Test Championship. 

In particular, Hazlewood and Cummins might pose a serious threat to Rohit, as they will hit the corridor of uncertainty throughout the tour. So, the Australia series will be a litmus test for Rohit Sharma, and considering his recent woes against fast bowling, it will be interesting to see if he turns things around and scripts India's third straight entry into the WTC final.