Team India batter Rohit Sharma is heading to Australia determined to prove himself in the upcoming three-match ODI series against the hosts. Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar said Rohit had shown a physical transformation, drawing parallels with his exclusion from the 2011 World Cup.
The 38-year-old was removed as India’s ODI captain ahead of the upcoming series in Australia. The selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, named Shubman Gill as the new ODI skipper. Gill had earlier taken over from Rohit as Test captain ahead of the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar series against England.
The exclusion left a deep wound in his heart – Sanjay Bangar
Sanjay Bangar said Rohit Sharma adopted a strict fitness regime after being left out of India’s 2011 World Cup squad. He said the exclusion left a lasting impact on Rohit, describing it as a “deep wound in his heart”, despite a successful career from 2012 to 2024.
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“The last time Rohit Sharma followed such a strict fitness regime was after he missed the 2011 World Cup,” Bangar said on Amul Cricket Live show.
“That exclusion left a deep wound in his heart, and I think we see a similar level of determination from him now. From 2012 to 2024, he had a wonderful and successful career, but being called upon for his fitness clearly stayed with him, and he worked hard to put it right,” he added.
Glad to see Rohit Sharma hungry and fit – Sanjay Bangar
Sanjay Bangar said that Rohit Sharma is fully prepared to meet all the demands of the game. Bangar said that Rohit may not always be positioned inside the 30-yard circle and will have to contribute as a defender.
“It shows in his preparation and his mindset. It’s great to see Rohit Sharma hungry and fit again,” Bangar continued.
“As a captain, you don’t always have the luxury of fielding inside the 30-yard circle; sometimes you have to patrol the outfield, dive and contribute as a fielder as well. Rohit seems to be fully preparing for this challenge, and that is a very positive sign,” he said.
Rohit Sharma last played for Team India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Rohit Sharma has undergone a remarkable physical transformation since his return from Italy less than two months ago. He has lost eight kilos and looks fitter than ever. The 38-year-old had already retired from Tests and T20 internationals.
Rohit was left out of India’s 2011 World Cup squad due to his form and injury. MS Dhoni then promoted him to open the Champions Trophy, a move which marked the start of his successful limited-overs career.
Rohit has an outstanding ODI record against Australia, scoring 2,407 runs in 46 matches at an average of 57.31, including eight centuries. On Australian soil, he amassed 1,328 runs in 30 innings at an average of 53.12 with five hundreds.
The right-handed batter last played for India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He guided the team to the trophy with a crucial 76 in the final against New Zealand.
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