Sat Dec 28 01:31:58 UTC 2024: ## Rohit Sharma’s Test Struggles Continue in Melbourne

**Melbourne, Australia** – Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s recent performance in the Boxing Day Test against Australia has highlighted a significant downturn in his red-ball form. Dismissed for three runs by Pat Cummins, his third consecutive low score in the series, Sharma’s Test average has plummeted to a six-year low of 40.87.

This slump marks a dramatic reversal for Sharma, who, until recently, was considered one of the world’s top Test openers. His average peaked at 47.20 in 2023 and he started 2024 as one of only two openers averaging over 50 in the World Test Championship (WTC) across three cycles. That average has now fallen to 43.35 after a challenging year.

While Sharma remains the WTC’s most prolific opener with over 2600 runs, his second half of 2024 has been disastrous. He’s only passed 25 runs once since September, with nine single-digit scores in his last 14 innings. This stark contrast to his previous form, where he averaged 50.03 in 32 Tests between 2019 and 2024, is particularly concerning.

His struggles stand in sharp relief to his successful white-ball performances this year, where his strike rates reached new heights. Currently, Sharma’s Test average places him among the lowest-performing batters in the WTC, surpassing only Marnus Labuschagne.

With three potential innings remaining in the series, Sharma faces a crucial opportunity to rediscover his earlier form and salvage his average. The Indian captain’s future as a consistent Test opener hangs in the balance.

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