Legendary former Australian captain Steve Waugh has delivered a stern piece of advice for India skipper Rohit Sharma, questioning his current Test form and his future as a leader of the side. In a candid chat with News18, Waugh pulled no punches, suggesting it might be time for Rohit to reevaluate his priorities.
Rohit Sharma, who leads India in both ODI and Test formats, has been under the scanner due to a prolonged lean patch with the bat in red-ball cricket. Over his last 15 Test innings, Rohit has managed just one half-century — a far cry from the expectations of a player with his experience and calibre.
Even during India’s most recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, Rohit’s performances were underwhelming. He failed to make an impact in the first three Tests and eventually withdrew from the final match, passing the leadership baton to Jasprit Bumrah. This move raised questions about his commitment and mental state as a leader in high-pressure Test matches.
Waugh didn’t mince words, saying:
“It is totally up to him. He is the only one who can solve that problem. He’s got to look himself in the mirror and ask, ‘Do I still want to be captain? Do I still want to play for India? Am I putting enough time and effort into it?’”
Waugh stressed that representing the country is a privilege and one cannot afford to be “complacent or relaxed” at the highest level.
Test Cricket Needs Leaders, Not Just Names
Beyond Rohit’s personal struggles, Waugh’s remarks reflect a broader concern for the format itself. With T20 leagues dominating global cricket, Test cricket finds itself at a crossroads. While T20 is fast, glamorous, and lucrative, the former Aussie skipper believes the purity of Test cricket must not be sacrificed.
“T20 cricket is amazing — great for players, fans, and sponsors. But Test cricket is the very essence of the game. It’s where players truly test how good they are. Keeping it healthy and relevant is critical.”
Waugh’s passionate defence of Test cricket underscores the value it still holds in the cricketing ecosystem. And for that very reason, leaders like Rohit Sharma must not only lead with tactical acumen but also through personal performance and unwavering commitment.
Final Thoughts
Steve Waugh’s brutally honest evaluation of Rohit Sharma comes at a critical time for Indian cricket. With the WTC cycle ongoing and younger stars like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal emerging, the pressure on senior players to deliver — both as performers and mentors — is greater than ever. Whether Rohit Sharma heeds the advice and stages a red-ball comeback remains to be seen.
