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Former Indian Coach Reveals How Fitness Criticism Fired Up Rohit Sharma
Follow UsThe 38-year-old is believed to have shed nearly 20 kilos over the past few months.
Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar is highly impressed with Rohit Sharma’s renewed commitment to fitness ahead of the three-match ODI series in Australia, starting October 19. The 38-year-old, who has been retained in the squad but removed as ODI captain, is believed to have shed nearly 20 kilos over the past few months.
Rohit has not played any competitive cricket since IPL 2025, with his last international appearance coming during the Champions Trophy earlier this year. He will be 40 by the time the 2027 ODI World Cup arrives, leading many to believe his place in the squad is no longer assured.
Earlier this year, Rohit was even dropped from India’s Test playing XI during the Australia tour and has since retired from red-ball cricket, leaving ODIs as his only active format. Despite that, his white-ball numbers remain elite. Since 2023, he has scored 1714 runs in 37 innings at an average of 48.97 and a blazing strike rate of 117.2.
Bangar said the veteran opener’s current mindset reminds him of a defining phase earlier in Rohit’s career.
"The last time Rohit Sharma followed such a strict fitness regimen was after he missed out on the 2011 World Cup. That exclusion left a deep wound in his heart, and I think we’re seeing a similar level of determination from him now,” Bangar said on the Amul Cricket Live show, as reported by Hindustan Times.
“From 2012 to 2024, he’s had a wonderful and successful career, but being called out for his fitness has clearly stayed with him, and he has worked hard to address it. It’s visible in his preparation and his mindset.
“It’s great to see Rohit Sharma hungry and fit once again. As a captain, you don’t always have the luxury of fielding inside the 30-yard circle; sometimes you need to patrol the outfield, dive around, and contribute as a fielder too. Rohit seems to be preparing himself completely for that challenge, and that’s a very positive sign.”
Rohit’s record in Australia further strengthens his case. Across 30 ODI innings there, he has scored 1328 runs at an average of 53.12 and a strike rate of 90.58, including five centuries and four fifties.