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Rohit Sharma's poor form in ODI cricket continued in the second match against England, and it has now started another big debate over the former Indian captain's approach with the bat. After failing to make an impact in the ongoing three-match ODI series opener, Rohit has once again missed the chance to play a big innings in Cardiff on Thursday, July 16.
The senior opening batter looked far from his usual attacking avatar, as he managed only 26 runs from 47 balls before being dismissed by Will Jacks at Sophia Gardens in the second ODI. Amid this, Rohit Sharma forced into retirement after Lord's ODI.
Dodda Ganesh questions Rohit Sharma's cautious batting approach
Reacting to Hitman’s slow innings, former India fast bowler Dodda Ganesh said that Rohit Sharma is no longer batting with the freedom that made him one of the world's most dangerous openers.
Rohit's poor run in ODI cricket has continued for several months. He had managed only 11 runs in the first ODI against England after struggling in the home ODI series against New Zealand earlier this year. He also failed to make a big impact in the ODI series against Afghanistan in June at home before scoring a timely half-century in the final match in Chennai.
With another low score in Cardiff, Rohit's ODI average for the year has dropped to 30.12, his lowest in a season since 2012 among years in which he has played at least five ODIs. The numbers have increased the pressure on the experienced opener when there is uncertainty over his place in the team. Amid this, Shubman Gill furious as Ben Duckket takes sharp catch in 2nd ODI vs England.
Dodda Ganesh feels pressure over India place is affecting Rohit Sharma
Dodda Ganesh has opined that Rohit's batting has changed because he may be thinking too much about his place in the playing XI. The former India pacer even noted that the right-hander looked unusually cautious in Cardiff instead of playing his natural attacking game.
Ganesh posted on X (formerly Twitter) after the Hitman’s dismissal: “Rohit Sharma’s timid batting approach is baffling, to say the least. It’s been ages since I’ve seen Rohit in such a mindset in the ODIs. Probably the pressure of keeping his place is playing on his mind.”
Rohit Sharma’s timid batting approach is baffling to say the least. It’s been ages since I’ve seen Rohit in such mindset in the ODIs. Probably the pressure of keeping his place is playing on his mind #ENGvIND
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) July 16, 2026
Rohit under pressure as Yashasvi Jaiswal waits in the wings
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma’s slow start also put extra pressure on India during the powerplay. He scored only 10 runs from his first 18 balls, while Shubman Gill played with much greater fluency at the other end, reaching 31 runs from just 30 deliveries.
However, Rohit added 44 crucial runs with Gill and 60 runs with Virat Kohli, who smashed a much-needed fifty against England in Cardiff. This played a key role in India putting 233 runs on the board.
With this failure, the pressure on Rohit's place in the ODI team has grown further because Yashasvi Jaiswal is waiting for his opportunity. Jaiswal has impressed in his first six ODI matches, as he averages 71.25, and his form has added intense pressure on the former Indian captain.
