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Former Australia cricketer Michael Clarke shared his thoughts on Rohit Sharma’s form, which has taken a sharp dip with his scores reading 6, 8, 4, 11, 4 and 4 in the last six IPL games. Rohit made an impressive start to the tournament, amassing 261 runs at an average of 52.20 and a brilliant strike rate of 167.31 in the first six outings. However, his next six have produced only 69 runs at an average below 15, with a string of single-digit scores.
Rohit fell for 4 off 5 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Mumbai Indians’ most recent outing as he skied a length delivery from Pat Cummins to wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen. Clarke noted the Mumbai batter’s misfortune, highlighting how a similar leading edge from Suryakumar Yadav travelled beyond the ropes for a maximum, but the one from Rohit led to his demise.
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"How many times do you see that exact ball go for six though? It happened to SKY [Suryakumar Yadav]. The exact same ball, exact same shot, except these went for six, Rohit gets out. 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. 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. So, he's going to have to find form,” Clarke said on Star Sports Cricket Live.
“I saw him the other day before the last game batting in the nets when his back was a little bit stiff. 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. 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's a great player, and I have no doubt he'll bounce back soon. Let's just hope it's not at the World Cup again (said jokingly)” he added.
Hardik Pandya executed the basics flawlessly: Michael Clarke
Clarke also shared his thoughts on Hardik Pandya, who has not had the best of seasons so far. Hardik’s batting services were not required against Hyderabad as Suryakumar’s unbeaten 102 off 51 alongside a steady 32-ball 37 from Tilak Varma sealed the game for the home team. However, the all-rounder made his presence felt with the ball, scalping three wickets in an economical spell, including a double-wicket over. He finished with figures of 3/31.
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“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. 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.
“Today's performance was his best. He kept it simple, he hit the wicket hard, and he was bowling 135k to 140k. 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,” Clarke said.
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