The spotlight is back on Rohit Sharma, and not for the right reasons, as the former Indian cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has made a sensational statement after the Indian captain’s other failure with the bat in the ongoing ODI series against England.

With concerns mounting over his ability to regain form, Manjrekar has boldly suggested that if Rohit fails to deliver in the ongoing three-match ODI series against England, there is a serious problem in him.

The former Indian batter-turned-commentator believes that the 50-over format offers the perfect opportunity for top-order batters to regain form and rebuild confidence.

Sanjay Manjrekar raises serious concerns about Rohit Sharma’s poor form

So, if Rohit Sharma fails to bounce back in the remainder of the ongoing three-match ODI series and the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, then the situation is alarming for the seasoned opener, according to the cricket expert.

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His comments came after Rohit’s flop batting show during the Indian cricket team’s four-wicket win over England in the first ODI match at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on Thursday (February 6). With this win, India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

Sanjay Manjrekar was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo, “He’ll be disappointed with the way he got out. Clearly, there is pressure, and if in 50-over cricket he struggles to get runs or get a big score, then you have a problem.”

“Because I maintain that this is the best format for any batter if you are batting in the top three, to get runs and come back into form. And if we don’t get to see the best of Rohit Sharma in this three-match series and the Champions Trophy, then there is a problem.”

Rohit Sharma’s form with the bat hits rock bottom

Notably, Rohit Sharma is facing one of the toughest phases of his career. His struggles with the bat have been evident, averaging below 11 in his last 15 innings in Test cricket.

However, there were hopes that things would change with the change of format, but the right-handed batter’s troubles continued in the first ODI against England as well.

Rohit was dismissed for just two runs off seven balls, miscuing a delivery from Saqib Mahmood in Nagpur, and that was the Indian opener’s seventh single-digit score in his last 10 international innings, at an alarming average of just seven. This slump left fans and experts worried for Rohit.

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Kevin Pietersen hails Rohit Sharma’s aura amidst criticism over his batting slump

Earlier, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen, who is currently in India to commentate in the ongoing white-ball series between the two teams, shared an interesting story when Rohit Sharma stepped out of the dressing room.

Pietersen revealed that the crowd erupted with loud cheers, creating such an electrifying atmosphere that even the England team couldn’t ignore it and turned to watch the scene, as he hailed the Indian captain’s aura amidst the criticism over his poor form.

Kevin Pietersen said on Star Sports, “Can I tell you something? When Rohit Sharma walked down, we had visuals of the England dressing room. When the whole crowd went up, all of the England team started staring at him. That’s intimidating, that’s an aura, and that’s something he created—not because he’s Rohit Sharma, but because of the runs he scored, because of his average.”