Indian cricket legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are receiving major criticism after their woeful performance with the bat in India’s embarrassing 3-0 series defeat to New Zealand. This marked the first time India were clean swept in a three match Test series at home.
The timing of this loss couldn’t have been worse as India is set to travel to Australia, for the Border Gavaskar Trophy starting later this month. Ahead of the tour against Australia, former England captain Michael Vaughan fears the worst for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as he believes they won’t be able to regain their form.
Virat Kohli -Rohit Sharma’s form a talking point ahead of BGT 2024-25
As India gears up for the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, the cricketing world is abuzz with speculation and analysis. Among the voices is former England captain Michael Vaughan, who has raised some pertinent concerns about the Indian team’s readiness, particularly focusing on the form of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
With the series set to kick off on November 22, the pressure is mounting not just from Australia’s formidable bowling attack but also from the expectations placed on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
The recent 3-0 series defeat against New Zealand at home has further compounded India’s challenges. Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma showcased a stark decline in their usual prowess, averaging below 16 in that series. Michael Vaughan stressed the importance of both players rediscovering their peak form and contributing significantly if India hopes to clinch the series down under.
There’s a lot of scrutiny surrounding the future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the Indian Test side as their performance in the Border Gavaskar Trophy will decide their fates. Amidst the storm of criticism, former England captain Michael Vaughan believes that if India stand any chance of beating Australia in the series then Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will have to be at their best.
Michael Vaughan expresses concern over Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s form ahead of 2024/25 BGT
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has expressed concern over the form of India’s legendary duo, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, ahead of the highly-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Team India is set to take on Australia in a blockbuster five-Test series, starting November 22, down under.
Despite holding the upper hand in the recent Tests against the Aussies, India will be under immense pressure. The BGT follows their embarrassing 3-0 home series whitewash at the hands of New Zealand. Among their chief concerns are the woeful form of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Test cricket. The duo each averaged under 16 in the New Zealand series with only two combined half-centuries between them in 12 innings.
Speaking to Fox Cricket during the first Australia-Pakistan ODI, Vaughan felt the two stalwarts had to be at their absolute best for India to defeat Australia. However, he feared the worst for the duo.
“The one thing that India are going to require to win here in Australia is Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli getting big runs and getting back to their best. I hope they do, I fear they won’t,” he said.
“I fear that they might just be over the edge and when you face an Australian attack that is up there with the greatest that has ever played the game in their own backyard, you’ve got to arrive here with solid technique and you’ve got to arrive with amazing mentality,” he added.
At 36 and 37, respectively, there has been speculation about Kohli and Rohit’s future in Tests should they struggle in Australia.
Virat Kohli’s dipping form a concern for Michael Vaughan ahead of BGT 2024-25
India’s previous series against Australia was a memorable one, with an impressive victory at the Gabba, achieved without Kohli, who was unavailable at the time. However, Vaughan points out a worrying dip in form for Kohli, especially after a recent lapse against New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner. “That’s not Virat Kohli,” Vaughan remarked, highlighting the inconsistency that has crept into Kohli’s game.
Michael Vaughan was particularly concerned over Virat Kohli’s form ahead of the crucial Australia Tests.
The 36-year-old missed the England Tests at the start of the year. He has averaged a dismal 22 since his return to the red-ball format against Bangladesh and New Zealand at home.
“I mean last series they won, they had no Virat Kohli to chase down that target at the Gabba. Australia hadn’t lost a Test match at the Gabba in 32 years, but I will say there’s a real concern around Kohli. That full toss that he missed to Mitchell Santner, that’s not Virat Kohli. You’re looking at a player that’s just fighting (for form) at the minute,” said Vaughan.
Despite the recent struggles, Virat Kohli can take solace from his overall Test record in Tests in Australia. The champion batter has scored 1,352 at an impressive average of 54.08, including six centuries in 13 Tests. The first test between India and Australia will start from November 22nd at the WACA stadium in Perth.