India vs Australia, 2nd Test: Rohit Sharma Second in Unwanted Test Record After Adelaide Test Stinker

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India vs Australia, 2nd Test: India's dismal performance in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 saw them crumble to a ten-wicket defeat against Australia in Adelaide, with captain Rohit Sharma’s continued poor form further compounding their woes.

Rohit Sharma's struggles with the bat have been a major talking point, as he managed just three and six runs respectively in both innings of the pink-ball Test. The Indian skipper’s inability to anchor the innings has raised concerns, not just about his form but also his leadership in the longest format.

Statistically, Rohit's batting woes are historic. His 11.83 batting average in the 2024-25 Test season ranks as the second-worst for any captain batting in the top six with at least ten innings in a season. The only captain with a lower average is New Zealand’s Jeff Crowe, who managed 11.80 in the 1987-88 season.

A Season to Forget for Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma has played 12 Test innings this season, scoring just 142 runs with a solitary half-century. His dismissals have often followed a similar pattern: chasing deliveries in the off-stump channel, a weakness ruthlessly exploited by opposition bowlers.

His captaincy has also come under fire. In Adelaide, tactical errors such as underutilising Jasprit Bumrah during a crucial phase on Day 2 and defensive field settings allowed Travis Head to dominate. Criticism has mounted, with former cricketers questioning his decision-making under pressure.

Rohit's Test captaincy has seen a string of poor results, including a humiliating 0-3 loss against New Zealand earlier this year. His reactive approach has been highlighted as a significant shortcoming, contrasting sharply with the aggressive mindset of his predecessors.

The lean patch with the bat and questionable leadership have led to growing demands for his removal as captain. Experts suggest that India might benefit from appointing a more dynamic leader, with names like Jasprit Bumrah being touted as potential replacements.

India vs Australia: What Next For Rohit Sharma?

As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy remains tied at 1-1, India will need strong leadership to bounce back. For Rohit, this might be his final opportunity to redeem himself as a Test cricketer and captain. However, with mounting criticism and younger players in form, the writing on the wall appears clear.

India must now decide whether to persist with an out-of-form skipper or embrace change to revive their fortunes in Test cricket.