Sanjay Manjrekar predicts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli’s Australia tour will decide their Test future

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s recent performances against New Zealand have sparked widespread debate among fans and cricket experts after India lost its first-ever Test series at home after 12 years.

In the first Test in Bengaluru, Rohit Sharma managed a mere 2 and 52 runs, while Kohli tallied 0 and 70, a showing that didn’t quite meet the expectations set for players of their caliber.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s poor form ignite debate before Australia tour

Their struggle continued in Pune during the second Test, where the Indian skipper’s scores dropped to 0 and 8, and Kohli contributed only 1 and 17, leaving fans and analysts wondering if these icons are facing a turning point in their careers.

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This dip in form has sparked fresh concerns about their form with the bat ahead of India’s crucial tour of Australia, where they will play five Tests from November 22 in Perth. Despite many calls to reconsider their roles, Rohit and Kohli’s extensive experience and past heroics make any immediate decisions difficult, according to Sanjay Manjrekar.

He believes that the ongoing Test series against New Zealand serves as a wake-up call for both Kohli and Rohit. Manjrekar said that the Indian cricket team management is currently facing tough decisions regarding Kohli and Rohit’s Test future.

Australia tour will tell us the real story: Sanjay Manjrekar

However, Manjrekar hopes that both Virat and Rohit will bounce back strongly on the Australia tour as the legendary pair adjusts their game. The commentator added that the upcoming Test series in Australia will reveal if Rohit and Kohli can still silence doubts and unlock a powerful comeback when their country needs it most.

Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo: “Yes, so you can say guys who are out of form, and that is something that happens. Now the selectors and the team management, Rohit Sharma is part of that team management conflict of interest there to decide about his own future but you just then just have to gauge in the way they are batting and you know can we hope for that form to come back quickly and how good will they be when they return and nobody can confidently say that you know it's time to move on from Rohit Sharma.”

India needs Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Australia

Manjrekar added, “Because now after this Test let's forget about this series even if India wins it won't matter that much but the next challenge will be Australia and for that you need Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and who knows they might just find that second win that we talk about so at the moment you have to look at these players who are out of form and typically what haunts a player who is you know at that age at that stage of his career is it just gets a little more difficult. So, the Australia tour will tell us the real story.”

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