(Image source from: PTI)
No longer the captain of India's ODI team, Rohit Sharma was the first to show up for the optional practice session on the day before the second match against Australia at the Adelaide Oval. Rohit worked hard in the nets and also took some throwdowns, but there were several troubling signs for both him and his fans when looking at the whole practice session. A report indicated that Rohit Sharma didn’t seem to be himself as he headed to the team hotel after practice. At that moment, India's head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar were having an extensive conversation with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is vying for the second opening position and is also considered a long-term replacement for Rohit. With Shubman Gill being made the captain of India's ODI team, Rohit’s place in the playing XI isn’t certain. Although management is not likely to bench him following his performance in the first game, Rohit is facing stiff competition for the opening spot alongside Gill from Jaiswal.
A report by RevSportz noted that Rohit seemed to have a different mood, being described as "off" and not his usual self during the practice. Typically, Rohit interacts with media and fans with a cheerful demeanor during these sessions. However, that was not the case on Wednesday. Rohit was observed leaving the practice alone, while Agarkar, selector Shiv Sunder Das, and coach Gambhir engaged in a lively discussion with Jaiswal, leading to speculation about possible changes within India's ODI team, maybe hinting at a future without Rohit. It was Agarkar who revealed that Gill would be the new ODI captain before the series began. The report suggested that Rohit’s stepping down as the ODI captain wasn’t a choice he made willingly but rather a "forced decision" from the selectors and management, despite his wish to keep leading.
While it is clear that Rohit is experiencing a tough time right now, the 38-year-old has made efforts to show his dedication to the team. Rohit has made a remarkable physical change, receiving admiration for his fitness from fans worldwide. However, there are worries about his recent performance, as he scored only 8 runs in the first ODI, highlighting that being fit without performing well won’t help him stay in the team. It was also reported that the team’s other two key players in batting, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill, completely skipped the optional training session.
