'Can’t fix all flaws’: Indian team member breaks silence on Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma skipping domestic cricket
Published - 08 Jan 2025, 10:59 AM | Updated - 08 Jan 2025, 11:36 PM
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India National Cricket Team batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have become the main talking points in Indian cricket. While they were often in the news for heroics, the tides this time have turned against them and their place in the team is being discussed.
This all is happening after both the stalwarts of Indian cricket failed badly in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were under scanner even in the home Test season, but things got even worse for them in the five-match Test series against Australia National Cricket Team.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli struggle badly in Australia
Rohit Sharma missed the first game in Perth due to the birth of his child, while Virat Kohli in that game slammed a glorious ton in. However, after that, nothing went his way as both the players of the team looked like a walking wicket in the series.
Rohit Sharma joined the team for the second match in Adelaide and took the middle-order role. However, he looked torrid with his footwork and down-on confidence. He batted in the middle for two games and then was back at the top in the fourth game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne.
But things didn't change for him as he failed consistently and ultimately dropped himself for the last match in Sydney. In the three games that he played in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, the India National Cricket Team skipper managed just 31 runs at an average of around 6.
On the other hand, Australia exploited the weakness of Virat Kohli and kept bowling him to channel outside off, and he kept nicking those balls. He scored 90 runs in the last 4 games of the series and faced a lot of criticism for getting out in a similar way.
After the series, Gautam Gambhir subtly urged both the players to play domestic cricket. Also, along with the head coach, various experts said that both Rohit and Kohli should play domestic cricket to regain their form and get back to their best in the format.
While playing domestic cricket cannot fix all the flaws - Indian team management member
However, amid all this, a member of the Indian team management shared his take on the same. He said that playing in domestic cricket won't fix their flaws but can help them get their rhythm back.
"While playing domestic cricket cannot fix all the flaws, it can certainly help Test players get into the rhythm needed to play the longest format," he said in a chat with Indian Express.
Without game time in the middle, their game will stagnate - Team management member on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
The source added that without game time in the middle, their game will stagnate. He said that if Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli play Ranji games frequently then they will be in good rhythm. Speaking to Indian Express, he explained:
"Without game time in the middle, their game will stagnate… The switch from the red ball to the white ball is easy, but when it is the other way around, it is challenging. When you play Ranji games frequently, you will be in rhythm,” said the source.
India National Cricket Team have no Test match scheduled till June later this year. Hence, there is no clarity about the future of Rohit and Kohli. It remains to be seen what call will BCCI take.
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