Pat Cummins focussed on ending Rohit Sharma's career in India vs Australia claims Aussie player

Former Australian cricketer Kerry O'Keeffe predicted that the Australian team will go hard at Team India skipper Rohit Sharma in the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. Kerry O'Keeffe also said that Australia always tries to torpedo the opposing skipper to gain an advantage in the Test series.

Australia previously targeted legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and Virat Kohli with aggressive tactics. They will try to dictate terms with intense bowling, strategic fields, and sledging to unsettle the opposing team. Notably, Australia lost their previous two home Test series against India.

They'll Go Very Hard At Rohit Sharma - Kerry O'Keeffe

Kerry O'Keeffe predicted that Australia would aggressively target Rohit in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. O'Keeffe said that he expects similar treatment for Rohit, even if he misses a few matches.

"Rohit Sharma may miss one or two Tests, but he is the captain, and Australia always tries to torpedo the visiting captain. It's been a tactic they've used forever, and I think they'll go very hard at Rohit Sharma," O'Keeffe told Fox Sports.

Indian Skipper Likely to Miss First Test of BGT 2024-25 vs Australia

Rohit’s availability for the first Test of the five-match series is uncertain due to personal reasons. Ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah could lead the team if Rohit misses the match. Australia may find it easier to exploit Rohit Sharma's form issues during the upcoming Test series.

The Indian captain struggled to score runs in the recent home Test series. Rohit scored only one fifty across ten innings against Bangladesh and New Zealand. However, the batter would be hoping to return to form in the most important series in terms of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 race.

You Poke A Bit Of Cheek At Virat Kohli - Kerry O'Keeffe

Kerry O'Keeffe said that Virat Kohli also may receive similarly aggressive treatment on the field alongside Rohit Sharma in the upcoming series. O'Keeffe said that Australia might look to exploit any signs of weakness in Kohli’s form. He added that Kohli’s performance could be a deciding factor for India.

"Kohli, who has worried them (Australia) over the years, what a stunning player he's been; but in sport, if you sense that the king of the jungle is slightly weaker, you poke a bit of cheek at him," O'Keeffe said in the same interaction.

"I'm fascinated to see what Virat Kohli ends up with at the end of the summer. It could be the decisive point in the whole summer. If he has an absolutely blazing series, India could win," he added.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will kick off with the first Test at Optus Stadium in Perth on November 22. Virat Kohli was one of the first players to arrive in Australia for the series. Kohli missed the net session at WACA on November 12, but he is expected to have his first practice session on November 13.

Also read: KL Rahul picks 1 from MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma