'Being the wise judge of his own performances, will undoubtedly be disappointed' - Michael Clarke on Rohit Sharma's poor form

With the T20 World Cup looming closer, former Australia captain Michael Clarke has shared his thoughts on the current batting struggles of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. Clarke, despite acknowledging Sharma's recent dip in form, remains optimistic and suggests that there's no need to panic.

He pointed out that Sharma, being experienced and astute in assessing his performances, is likely to be disappointed with his recent outings, particularly after a promising start to the season. Clarke also hinted at the possibility of Sharma feeling fatigued due to his busy schedule, which included leading Mumbai Indians in the IPL preceding the World Cup.

“Rohit, being the wise judge of his own performances, will undoubtedly be disappointed, especially considering his strong start. In my view, he might be feeling a bit fatigued as well,” Clarke told Star Sports.

With the IPL preceding the World Cup, Sharma has been facing a hectic schedule, leading both his IPL franchise Mumbai Indians and preparing for the upcoming global event. Clarke suggested that a break might do wonders for Sharma to refresh himself.

“A break to freshen up could do wonders for him, but as the Indian captain and a key player for Mumbai Indians, you're not getting a break. He's going to have to find form,” Clarke continued.

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Despite some concerns arising from his recent outings, Clarke remained optimistic about Sharma's capabilities, emphasizing that it's just a matter of time before he bounces back to his usual self.

“He was in a great mood. He's happy, which is a really good sign. He doesn't seem to be struggling with his timing; it's just a matter of getting out,” he said.

“With someone like Rohit, it's only a matter of time before he finds his form again. Hopefully, he stresses less and focuses on his game because he's too talented to keep missing out. He's at his best when he's timing the ball, rather than trying to force it,” he added.

For an all-rounder, success in one department boosts confidence across the board: Clarke

Amid Sharma's struggles, his deputy for the World Cup, Hardik Pandya, has been shining with both bat and ball. Clarke lauded Pandya's recent performances, especially his bowling contributions.

“In the last couple of games, he's been taking wickets with his bowling, making some adjustments along the way. For an all-rounder, success in one department boosts confidence across the board,” Clarke said.

“This aspect is crucial for Hardik Pandya's cricket in any format — he needs to contribute with the ball. Initially, he didn't bowl as much as expected or desired in the first half of this tournament. However, in the last three or four games, he's returned to form.” Clarke also said Pandya used his bouncers effectively which is an essential weapon in his armoury.

“He used his bouncer effectively, which I love seeing because it is a strong weapon in his arsenal. He executed the basics flawlessly, which is not only beneficial for Mumbai but also for Indian cricket as a whole, as it will enhance his overall performance,” said Clarke.