Rohit Sharma's coach places non-negotiable demand before BCCI amid Test retirement stories

Rohit Sharma already had a terrible Test season last year, and now his struggles in the ongoing IPL 2025 with the Mumbai Indians are making things tough for the Indian selectors to consider the veteran opener for the upcoming crucial tour of England in June.

After a poor run with the bat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Rohit Sharma stepped down from the final Test against Australia in Sydney. However, the Indian skipper had shown some glimpses of his form in the recent ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but he yet again lost his form with the bat.

Rohit Sharma's Test future in jeopardy amid IPL 2025 woes

Now, critics have been voicing against Rohit’s selection for the upcoming five-match Test series in England despite being a captain, as the Indian cricket team is looking to bounce back in the format after a disappointing last season, where they lost the Test series to New Zealand and Australia.

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However, Rohit’s childhood coach, Dinesh Lad, has fired back at critics and strongly backed the Hitman amid calls to drop him from the Test squad for the England tour. Lad reminded everyone of Rohit’s stellar performance on the last England tour, where he amassed 368 runs, including a brilliant century.

Amidst the reports of Rohit skipping the England tour, Lad suggested that the seasoned opener should travel to England and lead the Indian cricket team as he has everything to shine once again and lead the team to victory in the upcoming five-match Test series.

He should go, bat well, and lead the team well: Dinesh Lad

Dinesh Lad was quoted as saying by RevSportz, “Rohit is a different player. He is a technically sound player with a bundle of experience. As his childhood coach, I feel he should go to England. He did well in the last England tour, scoring a century there. In my opinion, he should go, bat well, and lead the team well.”

Meanwhile, many cricket experts have also been questioning Rohit Sharma’s ability to play long innings and have even pointed out his slow reflexes and technical struggles. However, his childhood coach believes the nature of the IPL itself is to blame. The well-known coach feels IPL is more about luck for batters, where connecting with the ball consistently is a challenge.

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Rohit Sharma's childhood coach feels 'IPL is a game of luck'

Lad further added, “In the IPL, you go to smash every ball in today’s time. You see so many players go and whack the ball around, but then you suddenly see them not scoring big runs in the next games. I feel the IPL is a game of luck, especially for the batters. You don’t defend there. If you connect, you go big, and that is not possible every day.”

The coach further said in Rohit Sharma's defense, “However, it is just the start of the IPL. Mumbai Indians played both their matches in away conditions. You know, in the IPL, players don’t get to train in those away wickets much, so that is one challenging aspect for everyone. I have full confidence that we will see Rohit score runs in the coming matches.”

Notably, Rohit will be seen in action when Mumbai Indians face Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in their next IPL 2025 clash on Monday, March 31.