Despite Rohit Sharma’s recent struggles with the bat, his respect among opponents remains intact, as demonstrated by a thoughtful gesture from England’s Brydon Carse. After the first ODI on February 6, 2025, at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, Carse removed his cap before shaking hands with Sharma.
This act of removing a cap is traditionally seen as a sign of respect, and it earned Carse considerable admiration from Indian fans. The moment occurred during the post-match handshake between players from both teams.
A video of the exchange quickly went viral, showing Carse’s respectful act as he greeted the Indian captain despite his team’s victory.
Sharma, who has been enduring a significant dip in form, was dismissed for just 2 runs in the first ODI against England. This continues a concerning pattern of low scores, sparking increased debate about his future in international cricket.
Over the past year, especially following India’s triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Sharma’s batting struggles have become evident. After India’s Test series against England in early 2024, his performances in both Tests and ODIs have been underwhelming. His ODI batting average has particularly taken a hit, adding more pressure as the Champions Trophy approaches.
In India’s home Test series against New Zealand, Sharma managed just one half-century in six innings, contributing to India’s series loss. His struggles continued in Australia, where he eventually withdrew from the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, citing concerns about his form.
This is what rohit has earned pic.twitter.com/i5wURVSLPG
— cricket videos (@RizwanStum60450) February 8, 2025
However, despite these challenges, Sharma remains a key figure in Indian cricket. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has emphasized the value Sharma brings to the team, noting that both he and Virat Kohli “add so much value to the dressing room” and will play a crucial role in India’s upcoming Champions Trophy campaign.