The former chief selector of Team India MSK Prasad feels that the upcoming tour of Australia could be last trip for Indian captain Rohit Sharma and former captain Virat Kohli. He also acknowledged that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have to do heavy weight lifting considering their performances in recent home series.
Men in Blues are currently playing their third match of the New Zealand series in Mumbai. They are expected to leave for Australia by November 10 to play their first Test in Perth starting from November 22. They are scheduled to play a four day practice match before the first Test match.
Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma need to fire with the bat – MSK Prasad
Recently, on ‘Follow the Blues’, a Star Sports show, MSK Prasad talked about key points for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the series and expects from them to finish the series on high.
“Absolutely right, because if they don’t step up and inspire, the rest will find it very difficult. Both of their styles suit these kinds of conditions much better. Anything hard and bouncy, both of them really enjoy,” said MSK Prasad.
He also highlights that considering the last trip to Australia for Virat Kohli, he will be eager to get some runs under his name.
“I don’t know when Virat is going to come back to Australia again but he would love to complete this series on a very, very high and top-notch performance, and that’s what exactly I am expecting both from Virat and Rohit,” the former India wicketkeeper-batter added.
Kohli has scored over 1300 runs on Australian soil with an outstanding average of 54.08 in 13 Tests while Rohit has not performed as per his name and managed to score only 408 runs in 7 tests he played so far.
Virat Kohli feels at home in Australian conditions – MSK Prasad
On being asked about challenges for the former skipper Virat Kohli, Prasad pointed out that Virat has performed exceptionally well in Australian conditions and he loves being there. He will be ready to take on Australian bowlers.
“Virat Kohli is like a duck getting into the water when he goes to Australia. He loves these conditions and probably he must be eagerly itching to just finish off this Wankhede Test match and then go and play in Australia because he loves that,” said MSK Prasad.
Virat Kohli has smashed six centuries in 13 Tests he played so far in Australia so the pressure would be on oppositions, not on him. Nathan Lyon has also revealed in one of his interviews that bowling to Virat Kohli, is like your are playing against the entire nation.
“He loves those challenges and sometimes champion cricketers bring their best game against the champion side and champion attack, and this is the attack that he would definitely love. Even Rohit Sharma, in one of the Test matches in Adelaide in 2018, he played a splendid knock,” he concluded.
Rohit Sharma will be leading his side for the first time in Tests in Australia. There will be lot of expectations from him after the series defeat at home against New Zealand. Considering the World Test Championship final spot, India needs to win all the remaining matches to ensure their tickets for England, where the final is scheduled to be played.
ALSO READ- BGT 2024-25 : Pat Cummins Desperate To Beat India In Upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25