Rohit Sharma has had a challenging run in Test cricket over the past year, and his struggles in the ongoing IPL 2025 with the Mumbai Indians have only intensified concerns regarding his selection for India’s crucial tour of England in June. With his batting form under the scanner, selectors are under pressure to make a tough call about the veteran opener’s future in red-ball cricket.

Rohit Sharma’s Test Career at a Crossroads Amid IPL 2025 Struggles

After a disappointing performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Rohit Sharma opted out of the final Test against Australia in Sydney. While he showed flashes of brilliance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, his inconsistency has raised doubts about his effectiveness in the longest format of the game.

As India gears up for a five-match Test series in England, critics are questioning whether Rohit should continue as the Test captain. With India determined to reclaim dominance after a forgettable Test season that saw defeats against both New Zealand and Australia, the pressure on Rohit has never been higher.

Rohit Sharma’s Coach Defends His Pupil Against Critics

Despite mounting scrutiny, Rohit’s childhood coach, Dinesh Lad, has come out in strong support of his former student. He believes that dropping Rohit for the England tour would be a mistake, emphasizing that the opener's past performances in English conditions prove his ability to excel. Lad pointed out Rohit’s impressive run in India’s previous tour of England, where he accumulated 368 runs, including a century, and played a key role in the team's success.

According to Lad, Rohit Sharma still has what it takes to lead the Indian Test side. Amid speculations of Rohit skipping the England series, his coach insists that the experienced batter should make the trip, prove his critics wrong, and steer India to a strong performance.

“He Must Go, Perform, and Lead India to Victory” – Dinesh Lad

Backing his star student, Dinesh Lad stated, “Rohit is a class player with a solid technique and years of experience. As his childhood coach, I firmly believe he should go to England. The last time he played there, he scored a crucial century and was instrumental in India’s performance. He must go, bat well, and lead the team to victory.”

While some cricket experts question Rohit’s ability to play long innings, citing his declining reflexes and technical vulnerabilities, Lad remains unconvinced by these arguments. He believes that the format of the IPL itself is affecting Rohit's performances rather than any decline in skill.

Coach Lad Calls IPL a ‘Game of Luck’ for Batters

Dinesh Lad also pointed out that IPL batting is highly unpredictable and not necessarily a reflection of a player’s overall form. He argued that the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket makes it difficult for batters to be consistent.

“In IPL, batters aim to smash every ball. Some days, they connect and score big runs, while on other days, they fail. The IPL is a game of luck when it comes to batting. Unlike Tests, there’s no room for defensive play, which affects a player’s rhythm,” Lad explained.

He further highlighted that Mumbai Indians’ struggles in IPL 2025 so far have come in away conditions, and players don’t get adequate training sessions on those pitches. However, he remains confident that Rohit will soon find his form and deliver strong performances for MI in the upcoming games.

Rohit Sharma’s Next Challenge – A Must-Watch Clash Against KKR

As questions loom over his Test future, Rohit Sharma will have another chance to prove his critics wrong when Mumbai Indians take on Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede Stadium in their next IPL 2025 encounter on Monday, March 31. With the spotlight firmly on him, all eyes will be on how the Indian captain responds to the pressure in the high-stakes match.

Only time will tell whether Rohit Sharma’s performances in IPL 2025 will influence the BCCI’s decision regarding his role in the England tour. Until then, the debate over his future in Test cricket continues to heat up.