Mohali: Rohit Sharma returned to the centre of attention during India’s white-ball training session at the IS Bindra Stadium, easing concerns over his fitness while showing signs of gradually regaining his batting rhythm.
The veteran opener, who recently underwent a brief lay-off, joined the squad for practice on Wednesday and immediately became the focal point despite the presence of several young and emerging players in the setup.
Fitness concerns put to rest
Speculation around Rohit’s fitness had been building ahead of the training session, but his presence and participation offered reassurance. The 39-year-old began his session with light drills, including shuttle runs, under the supervision of strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux.
Accompanied by Ishan Kishan, Rohit completed multiple sets without any visible discomfort, indicating that he has recovered well and is ready to return to competitive action.
Focus shifts to batting rhythm
Once padded up, Rohit spent nearly an hour alternating between the nets for fast bowlers and spinners. As expected from a batter returning after a break, his initial approach was cautious, focusing more on timing and control rather than aggression.
Early in the session, Nitish Kumar Reddy managed to trap him in front with an in-cutter, highlighting the challenges of readjusting to match conditions.
Rohit showed patience, leaving deliveries from bowlers like Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav while working on his defensive technique. There were a few mistimed shots and play-and-miss moments, but gradual improvement was evident.
Gradual return of trademark strokeplay
As the session progressed, Rohit began to find his rhythm. Defensive strokes started connecting more cleanly, and confidence grew with each passing delivery.
The first signs of his trademark aggression came when he flicked a delivery from Arshdeep Singh over deep mid-wicket. He followed it up with a controlled shot off a wide yorker attempt, showcasing his ability to adapt and innovate.
While a few deliveries still beat his outside edge and a pull shot did not connect perfectly, the overall progression in his batting was clear.
Dominance against spin
Rohit looked particularly comfortable against spin towards the latter part of the session. Facing an off-break bowler, he struck a series of effortless straight sixes, a hallmark of his batting style over the years.
This phase of the session highlighted his growing fluency and suggested that he is steadily returning to his best.
Young stars share the stage
The training session also featured India’s younger talents, including newly-appointed T20 captain Shreyas Iyer and promising batter Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Players such as Harsh Dubey continued their preparations quietly, but Rohit’s presence ensured that the spotlight remained firmly on him throughout.
Bigger picture for Rohit
With nearly two decades of international experience, Rohit’s current phase is less about external criticism and more about meeting his own high standards. Questions about form and longevity are inevitable for a player of his stature, especially at this stage of his career.
However, sessions like this underline his commitment to preparation and his methodical approach to regaining peak form.
Conclusion
Rohit Sharma’s net session in Mohali did not provide definitive answers about his immediate match readiness, but it offered encouraging signs. From easing fitness concerns to gradually rediscovering his batting rhythm, the veteran opener showed that he remains a key figure in India’s plans. As he continues to build momentum, all eyes will be on how quickly he translates this preparation into match performances.