Australia's bouncy pitches could end Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma's careers, warns Ian Chappell before BGT

Ahead of the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, legendary cricketer Ian Chappell has expressed his doubt over the ability of India's senior batting duo, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, to handle Australia’s infamous bouncy pitches.

With Team India gearing up to face Australia in a high-voltage five-match Test series, starting in Perth on November 22, the spotlight is firmly on the batting icons Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are coming into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 on the back of disappointing New Zealand series.

Ian Chappell highlights India’s batting woes ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

The Indian stars have been struggling to pile up runs for a long time now in Test cricket, and their form is currently the major issue for the touring side. The dismal performances of both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the recent Test series against New Zealand have left fans and cricket experts questioning whether they can rise to the occasion Down Under.

Read Also: Sunil Gavaskar attacked for demanding Rohit Sharma's sacking before BGT 2024-25 by Aaron Finch

Well, Ian Chappell, who is known for his sharp insights, believes that the extra bounce on Australian pitches will make things only worse for both Kohli and Rohit. Adding to India’s batting challenges, Chappell admitted that the pressure is mounting on the younger talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill due to Rohit and Kohli’s batting slump.

Ian Chappell expressed concerns over India’s batting lineup ahead of the upcoming Test series in Australia, as he feels the extra bounce on Australian pitches could trouble Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are already going through the lean patch.

Extra bounce in Australia major concern for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma: Ian Chappell

Ian Chappell said on Wide World of Sports' Outside the Rope: “The only thing I'd say against that is they're coming to Australia where the pitches are pretty good, but there'll be the extra bounce, and if they have gone over the top then the extra bounce will find them out.”

Chappell also noted that youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Subhman Gill both have shown promising form but will need consistent performances to fill the gaps left by senior players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, who are no longer part of the Test setup.

Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal will carry India’s hopes as seniors struggle

Read Also: "Remove Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin"- Pakistan veteran before IND vs AUS Tests

The Australian great further mentioned that the Indian cricket team is still heavily reliant on their senior players Kohli and Rohit, especially after parting ways with experienced players like Pujara and Rahane.

He added that this dependency puts added pressure on both Gill and Jaiswal, as well as India’s lower order, which has struggled to consistently perform in the last year. Chappell signed off by saying, “India has got some batting problems. I think Jaiswal is a very good-looking young player, a left-hand opener.

I think Gill can really play. But then you've got Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are both aging, and you get to that point where people start talking about it and maybe it starts to creep into your head a little bit [where you think], 'Am I getting to that age where it starts to go downhill?', and they're both at that age.”