‘If Rohit & Kohli Don’t Score In Australia, There Will Be A Clamour For A New-look Indian Team’ – News18
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Gavaskar stressed on the fact that if Kohli and Rohit fail to perform with the bat in Australia then there will be a demand for a transition in India’s Test set-up before the England tour next year.
Rohit Sharma (left) and Virat Kohli (BCCI Photo)
India’s 0-3 loss to New Zealand has rung the alarm bell, especially when the team is about to fly to Australia for a 5-match series and the World Test Championship (WTC) final qualification is at stake. India were on the top of the WTC points table before hosting the Kiwis. However, the visitors ended India’s streak of 18 series wins at home which saw them slipping to the second spot. If India want to qualify on their own, they need to thrash the Aussies 4-0 which seems highly sceptical. On the other hand, the spotlight is on the forms of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma who couldn’t contribute much with the bat in the entire series.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes that it’s high time for not only Kohli and Rohit but other batters as well to pull up their socks before they land in Australia. Speaking with India Today, Gavaskar was of the opinion that the two ‘stalwarts’ will find it difficult to rediscover their mojo given their age.
“It’s ticking for everybody. It’s not just them [Kohli and Rohit]. But, because they are in their 30s, mid-30s, it will be tougher for them than the guys in the early 20s or early 30s. But, the clock is ticking for everybody. Which is why I say, the more you are playing, the more you will be prepared to meet the demands of modern-day cricket,” Sunil Gavaskar was quoted as saying by India Today.
The Indian legend highlighted that the New Zealand Tests was one of the rare series where Rohit and Kohli didn’t perform, adding that it’s a part of the game but what matters the most is the way how players regain their form.
“Don’t forget, Kohli got a 70 in the second innings in Bengaluru. It’s just one of those rarities where both these stalwarts have not been able to make significant contributions,” Gavaskar said.
“A bad patch comes to everybody. Sometimes, a couple of bad patches can happen. That’s what sporting life is all about. But, how you come back from those bad patches tells how good a player you are and your character as a sports person,” he added.
Gavaskar stressed on the fact that if Kohli and Rohit fail to perform with the bat in Australia then there will be a demand for a transition in India’s Test set-up before the England tour next year.
“What we are going to see in Australia is really going to be interesting. What we are going to see in Australia will determine the future of the Test team.
“If they [Rohit and Kohli] don’t score runs in Australia, there will be a clamour for a new-look Indian team to start from the tour of England,” he added.
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