Team India’s skipper in Tests and ODIs, Rohit Sharma, is currently going through a tough phase in Test cricket. His performance with the bat during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was disappointing, as he managed only 31 runs across five innings. Due to this rough patch, he decided to skip the final Test of the series in Sydney. Looking at the bigger picture, 2024 has been a challenging year for the 37-year-old in Test cricket. Across 14 matches, he accumulated just 619 runs at a modest average of 24.76.

In contrast, Rohit has been more consistent in limited-overs formats. However, his performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have not lived up to expectations lately. His recent seasons have been below par, with 2023 being particularly underwhelming. After another shaky start to his IPL campaign, a suggestion was made by a former India head coach that Rohit should aim to face at least 50 balls per match. The idea is simple: spend more time at the crease to anchor the innings and help his team build a strong position. The recommendation also included balancing aggression in the first few overs with staying on the pitch until at least the 14th or 15th over, ideally scoring around 70 runs at a healthy strike rate.

Rohit’s T20 career is vast and impressive overall. Across 448 matches, he has amassed 11,830 runs at an average of 30.88 and a strike rate of 134.76, including eight centuries and 78 half-centuries. His leadership skills were on full display when he guided India to a T20 World Cup victory in 2024.

In the IPL, Rohit has featured in 257 games, racking up 6,628 runs at an average of 29.72 and a strike rate of 131.14. He has scored two centuries and 43 half-centuries in the tournament. This makes him the third-highest run-scorer in IPL history.

Rohit’s best season with the bat in the IPL was in 2013 when he scored 538 runs at an average of 38.42 and a strike rate of 131.54. He also showed glimpses of his firepower in IPL 2024 by scoring 417 runs in 14 matches at an excellent strike rate of 150.

Despite recent struggles, Rohit’s vast experience and ability to adapt can help him bounce back. Whether it’s Tests, ODIs, or T20s, he remains one of the most accomplished players of this generation.