Rohit Sharma’s form is under scrutiny after a poor series in New Zealand. The veteran opener managed only 30 runs across four innings, including two ducks. Head coach Gautam Gambhir said, "the collapse was worrying," as India prepares for the 2027 World Cup. His future remains a major talking point.
Rohit Sharma’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup have suffered a setback after a disappointing New Zealand series, with his struggles raising fresh questions about his form and future in India’s ODI set-up. Another difficult tour has put the spotlight firmly on the veteran opener at a crucial stage of the World Cup cycle.
India may have arrived in New Zealand with a 2-1 series lead, but their batting struggles have been hard to ignore. Rohit managed just 30 runs across his four innings, including two ducks, and fell for 7 in the fifth ODI.
NZ vs IND, 5th ODI: UPDATES
More than the lack of runs, it was Rohit’s inability to look settled, even in a single innings on this tour, that would concern India. He struggled to find his timing and failed to provide the stability expected from an experienced opener.
The 244-run defeat in the fourth ODI, when India were bowled out for 89 while chasing 334, exposed deeper concerns about the team's ability to handle challenging conditions away from home. Head coach Gautam Gambhir admitted that the collapse was worrying, particularly with the 2027 World Cup approaching.
Gambhir also pointed out that the conditions in New Zealand were similar to what India could expect at next year's World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. It was precisely the kind of examination Rohit and Virat Kohli needed to come through, but both senior batters struggled to make an impact beyond the opening ODI. Kohli, after scoring 74 in the first match, managed just 7 and 5 in the next two completed games.
There is, however, a strong counterargument to the growing criticism of Rohit. He remains India's second-highest ODI run-scorer since the 2023 World Cup. Yet his latest failures have sparked fresh debate among fans on social media, with questions emerging about his form and future.
ROHIT’S WORLD CUP BUILD-UP STUMBLES
Rohit's 2026 ODI campaign has had its bright moments. He struck 138 against England and followed it up with scores of 101 and 92 against the West Indies. However, the New Zealand tour has been a sharp reality check.
His last five ODI innings read:
7 vs New Zealand
0 vs New Zealand
23 vs New Zealand
0 vs New Zealand
92 vs West Indies
The concern is not just that the runs have dried up. Rohit has struggled to look comfortable against an attack that made the most of the conditions. Questions will be asked, and rightly so.
CAN ROHIT FIND HIS RHYTHM AGAIN?
India's upcoming home series against Sri Lanka, beginning with the first ODI in Visakhapatnam on December 13, offers Rohit an opportunity to put the disappointment behind him. The remaining matches are scheduled for December 16 in Bengaluru and December 19 in Ahmedabad. A home-series redemption would certainly be welcomed by fans.
However, runs on familiar home conditions will not entirely erase the concerns from New Zealand. India needed Rohit and Kohli to show they could adapt to conditions resembling those expected at the World Cup. With the tournament getting closer, both will need to find answers soon.