Former Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar has advised Rohit Sharma to watch his old videos and gain confidence to get back into form. Bangar wants Sharma to recall the days when he was scoring runs consistently at the top level.
Rohit has been under the scrutiny in the recent past as he could only manage 31 runs in three Test matches against Australia at an average of 6.20. The Indian captain had earlier scored 42 runs in two Test matches against Bangladesh and then aggregated 91 runs in three Tests against New Zealand.
Furthermore, Rohit could only return with scores of 3 and 28 in the Ranji Trophy clash against Jammu and Kashmir.
In the opening ODI against England at Nagpur, Rohit was dismissed after scoring only two runs as he was dismissed while trying to flick the ball but got a top edge.
Sanjay Bangar said on Star Sports show Match Point, “A phase has come in his career where he hasn’t scored runs. Sometimes practicing too much isn’t beneficial. He can probably spend a little time alone and watch the phase where he enjoyed a lot of success. Watch some videos and figure out what his habits and routines were.”
“Sometimes all those things prove hugely beneficial if you have to regain your rhythm. You have to remind yourself what works for you. He shouldn’t be too desperate in his thinking,” Bangar observed.
On the other hand, former Indian wicket-keeper bat Deep Dasgupta reckons Rohit is lacking confidence and he feels technique is not an issue for the Indian skipper.
“I think it’s a confidence thing. He was batting alright. He was getting behind the line. He wasn’t getting late. He wasn’t missing the lines as such and Jofra Archer was bowling really well, and so was (Saqib) Mahmood. So I don’t think there is any issue as far as technique is concerned. It’s just that confidence,” he replied.
“We have all been through that. When runs aren’t coming, either you are early on the ball or you are late. You are second-guessing yourself, should I play that shot, should I not? The moment he starts getting out pulling or flicking, it’s got to be confidence. I don’t think it’s technical. He is still the same batter, it’s just that he hasn’t got too many runs,” Dasgupta elaborated.
The second ODI between India and England will be played at Cuttack on Sunday.
