India's assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, has offered an explanation for captain Rohit Sharma's relatively subdued performance in the ongoing One Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand. Doeschate suggested that Rohit's lack of fluency could be attributed to a shortage of match practice between series and challenging pitch conditions. This comes at a time when star batter Virat Kohli has experienced a significant surge in form, culminating in him reclaiming the coveted World No. 1 position in the ICC Men's ODI Batting Rankings, dethroning Rohit Sharma. Kohli's recent performances include a match-winning 93 runs off 91 balls in the first ODI against New Zealand. Rohit Sharma, despite leading India, has recorded scores of 26 and 24 in the first two ODIs of the series, which is currently tied at 1-1 with the decider scheduled for January 18, 2026. Doeschate, appointed as an assistant coach in July 2024, emphasized Rohit's team-first mindset and dismissed notions of a conscious change in approach. However, Doeschate's remarks have drawn criticism, particularly from former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary, who publicly lambasted the assistant coach for making what he considered "demoralising" comments about a stalwart like Rohit Sharma. Several credible news outlets corroborate these events, highlighting the intense scrutiny on player form and team dynamics within Indian cricket.