India’s star batter Rohit Sharma scored just 11 runs off 21 balls in the first ODI against England, again sparking discussion about his form as an opener. Fans of the Indian cricket team now want him to retire and believe Yashasvi Jaiswal should replace him, while the stats around his lean patch have drawn fresh attention.
Cricbuzz compared his powerplay performance in two phases: from January 2023 through the 2025 Champions Trophy, and from October 2025 onward. His lean patch is hard to ignore.
One of the biggest differences is his change in intent. He built his 50-over reputation as someone who could take the new ball to the cleaners, but India’s aggressive opener, who changed the team’s approach, is now a more cautious version of himself.
The numbers behind Rohit Sharma’s decline
From January 2023 to the Champions Trophy, Rohit was considered one of the best openers in the world. After 36 innings, he had scored 1,146 runs off 935 balls at an average of 67.41 and a strike rate of 122.57, with a powerplay boundary percentage of 20.9.
But his form since October 2025 has dipped sharply. After 13 innings, he had scored 267 runs off 310 balls, suggesting reduced output and a slow tempo for an Indian opener.
His strike rate fell from 122.57 to 86.13, a decline of more than 36 runs per hundred balls. The powerplay boundary percentage also dropped from 20.9 to 15.5, showing that the explosive batter who once gave the team much-needed starts has now faded.
The only silver lining is his batting average, which remains a respectable 44.50. Rohit is still opening and scoring runs, but his performance has not been the same since the Champions Trophy.
A decline that raises real questions
That’s why it has become difficult to ignore his lean patch. He will turn 39 this year, plays for India in just one format, and is gearing up for the 2027 ODI World Cup, where pitch conditions will require him to give the team a quick start with the new ball.
His supporters will highlight his brilliant average and incredible career record, which also includes a half-century in the last ODI against Afghanistan. One bad series shouldn’t dismiss two decades of batting prowess, and the Indian team management also hasn’t made any plans to move on from him yet.
Still, this trend is concerning and isn’t just about one inning. An opener whose career was known for aggressive powerplay batting has now become the slowest, and with Jaiswal also scoring runs consistently, Rohit will face immense pressure from now on.