Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has voiced concerns over India’s underwhelming performance in Test cricket, stating that Rohit Sharma must take responsibility for leading the team’s revival. The Men in Blue failed to qualify for the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final, following back-to-back series defeats against New Zealand and Australia.
India’s poor red-ball form has raised serious questions about their Test approach, with their recent results highlighting a downward spiral. In November 2024, India suffered a historic 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand, their first-ever such defeat in Test cricket. This was followed by a 1-3 series loss in Australia, marking one of their worst overseas Test runs in recent years.
Ganguly on Rohit Sharma’s Role in Test Cricket
With India struggling to dominate in Tests, Sourav Ganguly believes Rohit Sharma must take responsibility as the team’s leader. Ganguly emphasized that Rohit, despite his success in white-ball cricket, needs to elevate his red-ball game, especially with an important five-match Test series against England on the horizon.
“What has surprised me is Rohit’s form in red-ball cricket over the last 4-5 years. A player of his stature and ability can do much better. He must put on his thinking cap because we have five Tests against England, and that’s going to be another hard series—just like Australia. It’s going to seam; it’s going to swing. India need him to perform in Tests. In white-ball cricket, he is one of the greatest ever,” Ganguly said during Trailblazers 3.0, by RevSportz.
While Rohit Sharma has cemented his legacy as one of the finest limited-overs captains, his leadership in Test cricket is under scrutiny. India, once dominant in the format, have struggled to maintain their winning momentum, and Ganguly insists that Rohit Sharma must take responsibility for turning things around.
Rohit Sharma Must Take Responsibility for India’s Test Revival
India’s struggles in Test cricket are no secret. After reaching the 2021 and 2023 WTC finals, the team has hit a rough patch, failing to secure a spot in the 2025 WTC final. With the next cycle beginning soon, Ganguly stressed that Rohit Sharma must take responsibility and lead the transition.
“I’m not surprised that Rohit has taken India to greater heights in white-ball cricket. But if he is listening, he should take responsibility for fixing the red-ball team. India are not good in Tests at the moment, and they need to find a way to play well in England because that’s going to be a very important five-Test series,” Ganguly added.
The England tour, starting June 20, will mark the beginning of India’s 2025-27 WTC cycle. It is a crucial series, not just for Rohit Sharma’s captaincy but also for India’s long-term success in the format. The last time India won a Test series in England was in 2007, and with conditions favoring swing and seam movement, Ganguly emphasized the need for Rohit to step up. Rohit Sharma must take responsibility for leading India to success in these challenging conditions.
Rohit Sharma’s Test Form Under the Scanner
One of the biggest concerns surrounding Rohit Sharma is his inconsistency in Test cricket. Unlike in ODIs and T20s, where he has dominated, his performances in red-ball cricket have been inconsistent, particularly in overseas conditions.
In India’s last two Test series:
- Rohit scored just 144 runs in six innings against New Zealand, averaging 24.00.
- Against Australia, he managed 188 runs in eight innings, with a poor average of 23.50.
His struggles against quality pace attacks in swinging conditions have raised doubts over his ability to anchor India’s top order. With England’s fast bowlers expected to exploit home conditions, Rohit Sharma must take responsibility for providing solid starts. If he fails to deliver, India’s top order could collapse under pressure.
Pressure on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
While Rohit Sharma must take responsibility, Virat Kohli is another senior player under pressure. The former captain, who has been struggling for runs in Test cricket, will need to regain his form if India hopes to win the England series.
With both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli enduring their worst Test slumps, India’s chances of success largely depend on their performances. If these two fail to deliver, India’s Test team could face another disastrous overseas campaign.
India’s Challenge in England: Key Factors
- Adjusting to Swing Conditions
- England’s pitches will favor seam and swing movement.
- Indian batters must improve their technique against the moving ball.
- Rohit Sharma’s Leadership
- As captain, Rohit Sharma must take responsibility for leading from the front.
- He needs to inspire confidence in younger players and adapt to tough conditions.
- Batting Form of Senior Players
- Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s form will be crucial.
- The middle order, including Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, must step up.
- India’s Bowling Attack
- Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami will be key in exploiting England’s conditions.
- Spinners like Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin could play a supporting role.
Can Rohit Sharma Lead India’s Test Comeback?
With the five-Test series in England set to begin on June 20, all eyes will be on Rohit Sharma’s leadership and batting form. If India aims to reclaim dominance in Test cricket, Rohit Sharma must take responsibility and deliver consistent performances.
The road ahead will be challenging, but a strong showing in England could revive India’s red-ball cricket and set the tone for the new WTC cycle. Rohit Sharma must take responsibility to ensure that India does not face another disappointing campaign.
Will Rohit Sharma rise to the occasion and guide India back to Test supremacy? The upcoming England series will provide the answers. But one thing is certain—Rohit Sharma must take responsibility now more than ever.
