Indian captain Rohit Sharma started IPL 2024 on a high note and showed impressive form with the bat after being relieved of his captaincy duties by Mumbai Indians (MI). However, after his remarkable century against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Rohit’s momentum in the tournament waned a lot.
In 12 matches of the ongoing IPL 2024, Mumbai Indians (MI) opener has scored just 330 runs at a respectable strike rate of 152.78 and a modest average of 30. As the 2024 T20 World Cup approaches, Rohit’s poor form this IPL season raises questions about his ability to lead India effectively in the upcoming multi-nation tournament.
Reacting to Rohit’s lean spell in the ongoing IPL 2024, former Australia captain Michael Clarke wondered how the talented opener kept failing to score in the lucrative T20 league. Clarke reckons Rohit might be feeling a bit tired, so a break can do wonders for the Indian captain, especially with the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup in mind.
Michael Clarke is optimistic about Rohit Sharma’s comeback
The Australian also hopes the Indian captain stresses less and focuses more on his game. Clarke is also confident that Rohit will get back to his beast mode soon. Above all, Rohit Sharma hasn’t crossed the 400-run mark in the IPL since 2019 and even this season he looks unremarkable now.
Michael Clarke said on Star Sports: “Hopefully he stresses less and focuses on his game because he’s too talented to keep missing out. In my opinion he may also be feeling a bit tired. A break to freshen up could do wonders for him, but as an Indian captain and a key player in Mumbai Indians, you don’t get a break. So he has to find form.”
Clarke added: “I saw him hitting the nets the other day before the last game when his back was a bit stiff. He doesn’t seem to have any problems with his timing; It’s just a matter of getting out. He is at his best when he dictates the timing of the ball rather than trying to force it. He is a great player and I have no doubt he will bounce back soon.”
The pressure is increasing on the struggling Rohit Sharma
Meanwhile, apart from Rohit, several Mumbai Indians (MI) players had problems in the ongoing IPL 2024, leading to the five-time champions being on the verge of officially exiting the season. MI have only won four games in the 12 games played in the tournament so far.
Earlier, Rohit was seen crying in the MI dressing room after he was sent off for scoring four runs in five balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on May 6. MI will next travel to Kolkata to take on league leaders Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 60th match of the ongoing IPL 2024 at Eden Gardens on May 11.
Rohit has a few more games left in the ongoing IPL 2024 to find his form before Indian players leave for the USA where they will play their opening match in the T20 World Cup 2024 against Ireland on June 5.