Rohit Sharma should fight out this phase: Irfan Pathan

NEW DELHI: Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has backed Rohit Sharma to utilise his experience and overcome the rough patch he has been undergoing over the last few months.

Ahead of the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Sydney, Rohit Sharma’s form and captaincy have come under intense scrutiny.


Critics and former players are divided on his future, with some calling for his retirement post-series and others advocating for his retention. Among the latter is Pathan, who expressed unwavering confidence in Rohit.

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“Rohit Sharma should fight out this phase. I don’t want him to walk away from this challenge. He has done enough for Indian cricket, and I’m sure he has the ability to turn things around. This final Test is crucial, and his experience should be invaluable. Any decisions about his future should come after the series," Pathan stated on X (formerly Twitter).


The statistics, however, paint a grim picture. Rohit’s form in 2024 was far from his usual high standards.

With a batting average of just 24.76 from 26 innings, his numbers include two centuries and two half-centuries—a stark contrast to his prolific past.

In India’s last five Test defeats, his average plummets to 11.20 across 10 innings.

His most recent innings reflect a concerning trend of inconsistency, producing returns of 2 and 52, 0 and 8, and a string of single-digit scores during the current Australian tour.



As captain, Rohit’s overseas record is middling. In eight matches on foreign soil, he has managed only two victories while suffering four defeats and drawing two.

Despite his heroic 127 at The Oval last year, his average as skipper in away Tests stands at 29.92. Compounding the pressure are India’s struggles under his leadership, including the recent whitewash at home against New Zealand and five Test losses this season.