IND vs SL 2023: His level has gone down slightly – Irfan Pathan on Rohit Sharma’s form

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has backed the Indian captain Rohit Sharma to regain his form in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Rohit hasn’t been in the best of forms in the recent past and it would be important for him to lead from the front.

Apart from scoring a fifty against the Netherlands, Rohit could not contribute much with the bat in the T20 World Cup. The Indian captain was then rested for the New Zealand tour and suffered a finger injury in the second ODI against Bangladesh, which ruled him out of the Test series.

It wasn’t an ideal 2022 for Rohit Sharma and he will be looking to make a solid return to form against Sri Lanka. Rohit holds the key for the team at the top of the order and the management will want their leader to be at his best.

Rohit has all the experience under his belt and he will look to make the most of it in the upcoming ODI series.

Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports, “Absolutely, Rohit’s level has gone down slightly, based on his standards. He is an amazing batter. The five centuries he scored in the 2019 World Cup, he batted amazingly well. He will have to probably remember that and regain his form.”

The former all-rounder feels India will be a force to reckon with in the ODI World Cup if Rohit comes back to form.

“When his form comes back, this Indian team which is getting ready for the 50-over World Cup, you will not get a more solid team than India, especially in these conditions where the World Cup is going to be played.”

Pathan feels Rohit Sharma will need to regularly pay attention to his form and fitness in the upcoming matches in order to deliver for the team.

“He will come back refreshed. Hopefully, he will come with preparation. He will have to regularly pay attention to his fitness and form and he will do that. He is already a great player, there is no doubt about that.”

“There is one thing about the captaincy, he is a fantastic captain of this team. He will manage this team very well and extremely easily but two things – he needs to give a lot of attention to his form and fitness.”

The first ODI will be played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on Tuesday.