IPL 2023: Rohit Sharma’s struggle with the bat is mental, not technical, says Virender Sehwag

Former Indian swashbuckling opener Virender Sehwag feels Rohit Sharma’s struggle with the bat is mental and not technical. The Mumbai Indians skipper has failed to lead from the front in the ongoing IPL 2023 season as he has scored only 184 runs in 10 matches at an average of 18.40 and a strike rate of 126.49.

Thus, Rohit has failed to give promising starts to his team along with Ishan Kishan. Rohit has struggled to deliver the goods for Mumbai Indians and it has had a huge impact on the results. Mumbai has managed five wins out of the 10 games they have played and they are currently in eighth place in the standings.

Rohit was dismissed without troubling the scorers in the previous match against Chennai Super Kings and he will look to be at his best against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Tuesday.

“Rohit Sharma is not battling with the bowlers but with himself. There is a mental block,” Sehwag said on Star Sports’ Cricket Live.

“There’s no problem with his batting technique. Some confusion is going on in his mind. But the day he gets going, we will make up for all the previous matches.”

On the other hand, former Australian skipper Aaron Finch feels Mumbai openers look at sea and they should learn from the way CSK’s openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway are batting.

“MI’s opening combination looks confused they are taking a lot of risk. They were looking to hit all the balls. They should learn from Ruturaj Gaikwad, he remains so calm in the middle and hits the loose balls,” Finch said.

Meanwhile, former South African spinner Imran Tahir lauded RCB’s talismanic batter Virat Kohli, who has scored 419 runs in the ongoing season of IPL 2023.

Imran Tahir said, “Virat Kohli has always had the urge to score runs.

“You can score maximum runs in one season, two or three seasons, but if you are successful in doing this for 15 consecutive seasons, then it can be attributed to the result of your hard work and dedication.

“What Virat has done in the last 15 years is really commendable.”

RCB and MI will take on each other at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Tuesday.