Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli to be forced into Test retirement post-BGT 2024-25 if...

Former India National Cricket Team player Karsan Ghavri shared a verdict on the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Tests. He said that if both the premier players failed to perform in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, they should announce their retirement from the longest format of the game.

Indian stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have come under massive scanner, and their place in the longest format of the game is getting questioned. This comes after the India National Cricket Team suffered a 0-3 whitewash against the New Zealand National Cricket Team in the Test series at home.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli failed terribly with the bat in the home Test season

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli failed terribly with the bat in the entire Test series against the New Zealand National Cricket Team, and it was one of the major reasons why India lost the Test series at home after 12 years. The premier batters looked like walking wickets in the three games, as their struggles against pace and spin were visible.

Not only in the series against New Zealand, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli struggled in the entire home season. They failed to get going in the games against Bangladesh as well. Both the batters seemed to be short on confidence as they looked torrid.

Also read: Mohammed Shami's international career falls in jeopardy as another team leaves him after India and GT

While Rohit managed 133 runs in 10 innings, Kohli amassed 192 runs. There have been reports that claimed that they will be given only the next series, Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, to prove their worth and if they failed to deliver, it would be curtains for them in Tests.

If they don’t perform in Australia, Virat and Rohit should retire - Karsan Ghavri

Karsan Ghavri believes that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will have to score big in the Test series against Australia. He said that there is no point in keeping the players in the team who are not performing as India needs to build a team for the future. Speaking to the Times of India, he explained:

"200 percent yes. They need to score big. If they don’t perform, it’s time for them to call a time on their Test careers. If they don’t perform in Australia, Virat and Rohit should retire. They have done a lot for Indian cricket, but the team needs runs to win. We need to build a team for the future. How long will we keep players who aren’t performing?"

If they perform, keep them; if not, why select them? - Karsan Ghavri on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

Karsan Ghavri made a strong statement, saying that the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the team should now depend on their performances in Tests. He added that if both premier batters are in the team without scoring runs, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara should be back too.

Karsan Ghavri also highlighted the fact that to series in Australia, India need to put up big scores, and for that, senior batters need to step up. He added:

"If they perform, keep them; if not, why select them? If players are selected without performance, then bring in Cheteshwar Pujara or Ajinkya Rahane. If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli aren’t scoring runs, then who will score?

"In a country like Australia, you need experienced players who can occupy the crease, stay longer, and put up big scores. To beat Australia in Australia, you need big totals on the board."

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 will begin on 22nd November in Perth. With the kind of impact Rohit and Virat have had on the game, it won't be a surprise if they turn things around in Australia.