NEW DELHI: While his long-time teammate Virat Kohli will be looking to continue his stellar form at a familiar Adelaide Oval during the second ODI against Australia on Thursday, former skipper Rohit Sharma faces a very different challenge — breaking his run-drought at the venue.
The first ODI in Perth saw a disappointing return for Rohit, who managed a meager eight runs off 14 balls, hitting only a single boundary. Fans, and perhaps Rohit himself, had anticipated an explosive powerplay from the ‘Hitman,’ but instead, he appeared to be struggling to regain his rhythm after an extended break from international cricket.
With emerging talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, and Prabhsimran Singh showcasing strong performances in List-A cricket, the pressure is mounting on Rohit. He understands the urgency to perform well in the remaining two ODIs in Australia and the subsequent three ODIs at home against South Africa this year, as his aspirations for the 2027 Cricket World Cup hang in the balance.
Rohit has a proven track record of thriving under pressure, and he’ll be keen to rediscover that form. A recent video circulating on social media caught everyone’s attention, showing Rohit curiously taking Yashasvi Jaiswal’s bat and engaging in some shadow practice. This intriguing moment has sparked discussions about his mindset ahead of the crucial Adelaide encounter.
Despite his impressive overall record against Australia, the Adelaide Oval has historically proven to be a challenging venue for Rohit. In 12 ODIs across 15 innings at this ground, he has managed only 287 runs at a modest average of 19.13, with his highest score being just 43. Looking solely at his six ODIs played directly at the venue, his record stands at 131 runs at an average of 21.83.
His last appearance at Adelaide Oval during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2025 further highlighted his struggles, where he scored just three and six runs in the pink-ball Test before being dismissed by Scott Boland and Pat Cummins, respectively. However, this time, Rohit arrives fitter and in a format where he typically excels, hoping to turn a new leaf and rewrite his Adelaide narrative.