Hitman in reach: Rohit Sharma gets into the groove for India-Afghanistan ODIs

Rohit Sharma joined the Indian white-ball nets here on Wednesday and remained a box-office attraction despite the presence of young and emerging stars. The intrigue started even before the Indian team bus entered the IS Bindra Stadium complex this evening.

There was speculation about his health after his recent release, though PTI reported on Tuesday that the veteran opener had received the necessary clearance. But when the Indian squad assembled for training, it was clear where the spotlight would inevitably fall. It was newly appointed T20 captain Shreyas Iyer. Batting star Yashasvi Jaiswal was there.

Youngsters Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav and Harsh Dubey went through their routines with quiet diligence. But when the 39-year-old Mumbaikar steps onto the training ground, he remains in the limelight.

ROHIT IN FRAME

Rohit’s session started away from the batting nets. He spent a few minutes chatting with strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux before launching into a series of light shuttles.

Ishan Kishan stayed by his side during the practice as Rohit completed about five sets. No discomfort was evident. No sign of the body protesting after recent concerns about his fitness. However, the anticipation really gathered once he was stuffing.

For the next hour, every move was closely watched as he alternated between the fast bowlers’ nets and the spinners’ paddock. The coaches watched. The teammates looked around. A handful of observers in attendance watched every stroke and every error.

The early signs were predictable for the batter’s return after the break. He looked scrappy, looking for timing and judgment rather than boundaries. Nitish Kumar Reddy struck an early blow and trapped him plumb in front with an in-cutter to first. Then came a sequence familiar to anyone who has watched an elite batsman rediscover a rhythm.

He left several supplies from Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav. There were attempted pushes and several play-and-miss moments. Gradually, the defensive spikes toward the cover area began to find the middle of the bat.

It was not necessary to control the steering. The focus seemed to be on rebuilding feel and rhythm, allowing muscle memory to return naturally, rather than forcing it. The first signs of aggression soon appeared.

Arshdeep Singh’s delivery disappeared over deep mid-wicket with typical swing. Prince then attempted a wide yorker, only for Rohit to open his face and take it away with a cheeky steer. There were still imperfections. A few vans cross the outer rim.

When Gurnoor hit one short, Rohit attempted a pull but didn’t connect as cleanly as he would have liked. Still, progress was visible during the session. By the time he moved on to spinning nets, fluency had improved greatly.

Against the bowler outside the net, he launched a string of straight sixes that looked almost effortless, the kind of hitting that would define his batting for nearly two decades. The coming days will give a clearer indication of exactly where he stands.

The cricketing world may continue to debate whether Rohit is under pressure, but such talk inevitably accompanies a player of his stature, especially at this stage of an illustrious career. After nearly two decades in international cricket, Rohit’s competition seems less about external scrutiny and more about personal benchmarks. Outside questions remain constant. The challenge that really matters is the one you set yourself.

Wednesday’s net session did not yield definitive answers. It was never like that. What it did offer was the sight of a masterful batter methodically working its way back into rhythm.

– The end

Published on:

10 Jun 2026 20:46 IST