“Don’t Praise The Players So Much…”: Kapil Dev’s Blunt Verdict On Rohit Sharma’s Poor Performance

Rohit Sharma, once a pillar of India’s batting lineup, is currently experiencing one of the toughest phases of his career. His last 10 innings (2, 3, 9, 10, 3, 6, 18, 11, 0, 8) paint a grim picture. The lack of big scores has raised serious concerns about his form and fitness ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. Adding to his woes are reports of a divided dressing room, further intensifying the scrutiny on his leadership.

Rohit Sharma’s Last 10 Innings: A Statistical Decline

Looking at Rohit’s recent numbers, the struggle is evident. He hasn’t managed a half-century since October 2024, a worrying sign for any top-order batter, let alone the captain. His dismissals have often been due to poor shot selection or falling into predictable traps set by bowlers. Compared to his peak years, where he was known for massive double centuries in ODIs and consistent Test match performances, the current numbers suggest a drastic dip.

The Captain’s Burden: How Leadership Affects Form

Being captain comes with its own pressure, and history has shown that leading a side can sometimes take a toll on individual performance. We have seen Virat Kohli struggle during his last phase as captain, and even legends like MS Dhoni faced form slumps under leadership stress. A team’s success is closely tied to its captain’s form, and with Rohit struggling, India’s overall performance has also appeared shaky.

He has been struggling against swing and spin, often getting caught in the slips or trapped LBW, making poor shot selections leading to soft dismissals, and showing slower footwork, affecting his ability to handle fast deliveries.

Kapil Dev’s Honest Take on Rohit Sharma

Kapil Dev, India’s legendary World Cup-winning captain, expressed concern over Rohit’s struggles, stating, “He is a big player. I hope he returns to form quickly. When the captain’s form is poor, the team has problems.” His words reflect the crucial link between captaincy and team success.

“He is a big player. I hope he returns to form quickly. I will say good luck to the coach. It takes time to settle in. The whole country is looking forward to the side’s performance. In the recent times, the side played well for some time. The team looks unsettled. When the captain’s form is poor, the team has problems,” Kapil Dev said on Cricket Adda YouTube channel.

Off-Field Controversies: Dressing Room Rifts and Mental Pressure

Reports suggest Rohit may be dealing with dressing room tensions, possibly impacting his mindset on the field. A divided team is never good news, and if such reports are true, it further explains why India seems unsettled.

Kapil Dev further added, “The team has not done well, it’s justified that the fans are angry. When these players came back after winning the T20 World Cup, the crazy scenes, I have never seen in my life. So, when they do bad, criticism follows. That’s what I say, don’t praise the players so much, that they can’t handle. And then criticise them below the belt. This is my thought.”

The upcoming Champions Trophy is likely to be a career-defining moment for Rohit. If he fails to deliver, we could see the end of his tenure as India’s captain, or possibly even his international career.