Rohit Sharma ‘Brilliant in White-Ball, Average in Tests, Says Former BCCI Secretary Sanjay Jagdale

Former BCCI secretary and selector Sanjay Jagdale has offered a scathing yet candid assessment of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma's performances across all cricket formats. Speaking to CricBlogger, Jagdale described Rohit as an "average Test player".

However, he hailed him as "brilliant in white-ball cricket." His remarks have sparked fresh debates about the Indian team's leadership and the future of its Test squad. "Rohit is an average Test player. In white ball, he is brilliant. He shouldn't have been allowed to extend his career," Jagdale remarked.

While Rohit has produced standout moments in Test cricket, particularly at home as an opener, his inconsistent overseas performances remain a glaring issue. In 2024, Rohit averaged a disappointing 24.76 in Tests, with just two centuries across 14 matches.

Jagdale further questioned the selectors' decision not to consider grooming a successor during the Bangladesh series, calling it a missed opportunity. "The Bangladesh series was a great opportunity for the selectors to pick a new Test captain, but they didn't do it," he said.

His criticism extends to the handling of senior players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, who were dropped despite consistent overseas contributions. He contrasted this with Rohit, whose form has been scrutinized but has retained the captaincy.

Rohit Sharma, The White-Ball Maestro

While Jagdale was critical of Rohit in Tests, he had no doubts about the captain's brilliance in white-ball cricket. Rohit's record-breaking performances, including multiple double centuries in ODIs and his consistent T20 success, cement his reputation as one of the finest limited-overs players of all time.

Jagdale also expressed optimism about Virat Kohli, whom he described as "class" despite recent struggles. "Virat is such a big player that he still believes he can hit the ball like he does in white-ball cricket," he told CricBlogger, hinting at Kohli's potential to reclaim his form.

Jagdale's remarks underline the ongoing conversation about balancing experience with form in the Indian team, particularly in Tests. With India eyeing long-term success, selectors face the daunting task of shaping a team that can compete across formats while making tough decisions about the captains to lead.