‘Rohit Sharma Is An Absolute GOAT But…’: Ex-IND Star Explains What Indian Skipper Needs To Do To Gain Respect In Tests – News18

Last Updated:November 15, 2024, 20:45 IST

Comparing Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, Aakash Chopra suggested that the current Indian skipper has yet to earn the hype Virat Kohli does when playing in Australia.

Retired India batter Aakash Chopra has shared his opinion on why there is such massive hype surrounding Virat Kohli ahead of the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy. Aakash reckons the hype is because of Kohli’s excellent Test performances on Australian soil in the past.

“Why is it for Virat Kohli? Test is the format if you want to earn respect in Australia and England. No matter how well you do in white-ball cricket, you won’t get that much respect. However, they remember you if you have dominated them with the bat or jolted them with the ball [in Tests]. You will be written beautifully in the annals of history,” Aakash said on his YouTube channel.

Comparing Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, Aakash Chopra suggested that the current Indian skipper has yet to earn a similar status in Australia. Aakash acknowledged that Rohit had delivered several match-winning performances against the Aussies in white-ball cricket.

However, he would have to replicate a similar impact in red-ball cricket to get this sort of respect. “Virat Kohli is not demanding, he is commanding this respect. If you see the white-ball format, Rohit Sharma is an absolute GOAT when it comes to playing against Australia. However, Rohit has never played an entire Test series in Australia. He might not play the entire series this time as well. Rohit Sharma has not yet earned that status,” Aakash said.

Virat Kohli has put up several match-winning performances in Test cricket when playing on Australian soil. In the 25 Test innings he has played in Australia, Kohli has smashed six centuries. He has amassed 1352 runs at an average of 54.08. Rohit has only featured in 14 Test innings in Australia. He has aggregated 408 runs with no centuries. The Indian skipper has a 31.38 average on Australian soil.

Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have struggled with consistency in Test cricket recently. The veteran duo were overshadowed by strong performances from Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant in the India-Bangladesh series that concluded on October 1. Despite Kohli and Rohit’s individual shortcomings, India escaped with a comfortable 2-0 series victory at home. The duo failed to deliver against New Zealand as India were whitewashed 0-3 at home. Kohli and Rohit will now be looking to redeem themselves in the upcoming five-match Test series in Australia.

The opening game of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be played at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The match will commence on November 22.