Shaun Pollock‘s insights shed light on the pressures Rohit Sharma might be facing due to the scrutiny surrounding World Cup squad selections. Shaun Pollock implied that the added stress could potentially impact Rohit Sharma’s form.
Shaun Pollock, a legendary South African cricketer, dominated the cricketing world for over a decade (1996-2008). He excelled in both batting and bowling, achieving the rare feat of surpassing 3,000 runs and 300 wickets in both Test and ODI formats. Although Pollock is retired from playing but remains actively involved in cricket as a commentator for SuperSport, sharing his expertise with the next generation.
Rohit Sharma kicked off the season impressively, showcasing his batting prowess with notable performances, including a century against the Chennai Super Kings. Initially relieved of captaincy duties for the Mumbai Indians, his form seemed to soar. However, a downturn swiftly followed.
Currently, Rohit Sharma’s inconsistent form has become a pressing concern for Indian cricket enthusiasts, particularly with the T20 World Cup looming. Over his last 12 IPL matches, he has only accumulated 330 runs at an average of 30 and a strike rate of 152.78. His recent slump, highlighted by a mere 33 runs in the last five matches, underscores worries about his ability to deliver on the grand stage of the World Cup.
Rohit Sharma’s Involvement in Squad Selection
Rohit Sharma’s influence on the selection of India’s 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup in 2024 was likely substantial, but the final call wouldn’t have been his alone. Officially, the responsibility of picking the Indian team falls on the All-India Selection Committee (AISC), a panel of former cricketers led by a designated chief selector. This committee analyses player performance and strategies for upcoming tournaments.
However, the captain’s input holds significant weight. As the leader of the T20 squad, Rohit Sharma would have undoubtedly participated in discussions with the selection committee. He likely offered valuable insights on player form, team chemistry, and ideal strategies considering the specific conditions of the World Cup. Reports suggest Rohit did collaborate with Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar, potentially debating player choices and advocating for those who aligned with his vision for the team.
What Shaun Pollock Said
Former South African captain Shaun Pollock suggests that Rohit Sharma’s recent engagement in the Indian squad selection for the forthcoming T20 World Cup might have contributed to his declining performance with the bat during IPL 2024.
During Mumbai Indians’ latest match against the Sun Risers Hyderabad (SRH), Rohit Sharma, the seasoned batsman, mistimed a flick off a regular delivery from Pat Cummins, resulting in his dismissal for a mere four runs off five balls.
Shaun Pollock, reflecting on the game, suggests that the ongoing discussions regarding the Indian T20 World Squad over the past two weeks might have influenced Rohit’s batting performance in the IPL.
Pollock said,
“I presume for the last few weeks, there has been a few conversations about trying to pick the Indian team. With that stress of finding the right balance, which player should be picked, all of a sudden, you are back in captaincy mode…. The naming of the side, going to the press conference, explaining why you have picked a certain player may have added to the stress,”
Rohit Sharma is set to captain the Indian cricket team in the upcoming major event in the West Indies and U.S.A., beginning on June 1st. The announcement of India’s 15-member squad for the World Cup last week sparked numerous discussions among fans and experts regarding the selection and omission of specific players.
Shaun Pollock expresses concern over Rohit Sharma’s recurring manner of dismissal, often falling prey to seemingly innocuous deliveries, a worry shared by fans of both Mumbai Indians and Team India as he stated,
“It’s the manner in which he’s getting out that will be more concerning for him. He’s one of those when he’s playing straight down the ground, there’s not much that can go wrong, but he has tried to introduce a bit of a fiddly element to the game. To get the odd scoop here but he’s popping the odd one up in the air. If he gets a good nut, he won’t be too concerned, but to be honest, he’s kind of got out to soft dismissals, to be honest,”
Rohit Sharma is not playing well, and Mumbai Indians aren’t doing great either, sitting near the bottom with only four wins out of 12 matches. Even though they’re not out of the running yet, their chances of making it to the playoffs are slim. They’re off to Kolkata to face the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their second-to-last match of the league stage.
Also Read: IPL 2024: Aakash Chopra Expresses His Concern About Rohit Sharma’s Form