Rohit Sharma: Pulled again out early

In the final group-stage match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand on March 2, Indian captain Rohit Sharma's struggles with form continued, much to the disappointment of fans hoping for a resurgence. Opening the innings, Sharma managed to score 15 runs off 17 balls, including one boundary and a six, before his premature dismissal off a pull shot.

Sharma began his innings with a confident pull shot to midwicket for a boundary, followed by an aggressive six over midwicket off Matt Henry. However, his momentum was short-lived, as he was dismissed after facing 17 deliveries. 

This pattern of brief, unfulfilled innings has been a recurring theme for Sharma in recent times. In the 10 Tests India played between September 2024 and January 2025, he accumulated only 164 runs across 15 innings, with a solitary half-century. His return to domestic cricket in January also saw modest scores of 2 and 28 in a Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir. 

Fans and cricket analysts have expressed concern over Sharma's prolonged dip in form, especially given his pivotal role at the top of the order. The anticipation for a commanding innings from the Indian skipper remains unfulfilled, leading to growing discussions about his future in the national setup.

As India advances to the semi-finals, the team and its supporters hope for a turnaround in Sharma's performance, trusting in his experience and resilience to deliver when it matters most.