“Hunger Must Reflect In His Actions..”, Says Sanajay Bangar On Rohit Sharma’s Test Future

January 7, 2025: The recent underperformance of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Test cricket, particularly in the 2024/25 season, has sparked widespread debate about their future in the longest format. The criticism, notably from former cricketers like Sanjay Bangar and Deep Dasgupta, points to a critical issue: whether these two stars still have the “hunger” to perform at the highest level.

Bangar’s comments are particularly striking. He mentions that at 37, every failure would hurt more deeply for someone like Rohit, who has achieved so much in his career yet finds himself struggling to replicate his past performances. The presence of younger players in the squad, performing well, may add further pressure on senior players like Rohit and Virat, who might wonder if they can still reach those levels. According to Bangar, it is now up to Rohit to decide if he still has the desire to play Test cricket, and that this hunger should be visible in both his actions and form.

Bangar also draws attention to how players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have shown their hunger by consistently playing domestic cricket after being dropped from the national team. They have continued to play in domestic competitions, such as the Ranji Trophy and even county cricket in England, demonstrating a desire to prove themselves. This, according to Bangar, is the kind of commitment Rohit should display if he wishes to continue playing at the highest level.

Deep Dasgupta echoes a similar sentiment, emphasizing that while the class of Rohit and Virat is unquestionable, their willingness to sacrifice and work hard at the domestic level is now a crucial factor. He points out that a few domestic matches might help assess their hunger and willingness to put in the effort required to return to form.

Both former cricketers seem to agree that the upcoming period, with no immediate Test series, could be a defining one for both players. Rohit and Kohli will need to use this time wisely to reflect on their commitment to Test cricket and work on regaining their form if they wish to continue contributing at the highest level.

The lack of form from both Rohit and Kohli during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was glaring. Rohit averaged just 6.20 in three matches, with only 31 runs across five innings, while Kohli’s average of 23.75 was similarly below par, with just one century in nine innings. This poor run of form, compounded by Kohli’s recurring struggles with the outside-off-stump delivery, especially against Scott Boland, has raised concerns about their future in the Test side.

For many fans and analysts, the next few months could be crucial in determining whether Rohit and Kohli can reclaim their place as leaders of India’s Test team or whether they will follow in the footsteps of players like Pujara and Rahane, who, despite being dropped, fought their way back through sheer determination. If both Rohit and Kohli demonstrate the same hunger and commitment to the game, it could well be the turning point in their Test careers.