Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma's retirement announced after Border-Gavaskar Trophy

As India gears up for the make-or-break Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, former Australian captain Michael Clarke has ignited a storm with his bold statement on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s future in Test cricket.

Clarke suggested that the upcoming five-match Test series might be Virat and Rohit’s last Australia tour in the wake of India’s recent whitewash by New Zealand at home. Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been under intense scrutiny for their poor run of form, as they managed a combined total of just 184 runs in six innings against New Zealand.

Michael Clarke urges Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to prove their worth in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Rohit, with only one fifty and an average of 15.16, and Kohli, averaging 15.50 with a highest score of 70, have left fans and former cricketers questioning their form and place in the Test team. Ahead of the Perth Test, Michael Clarke claimed that the senior batters’ failure to deliver in the high-voltage Test series might prompt their retirement from Test cricket.

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With Australia’s formidable pace attack featuring Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood ready to exploit every chink in India’s armor, the pressure on Rohit and Kohli has reached boiling point. However, Clarke said both Kohli and Rohit are well-suited to Australian conditions, and he doesn’t think they will fail to deliver in the upcoming Test series.

He mentioned that Rohit Sharma is probably among the best in the Indian team when it comes to handling fast bowling. The former Australian captain has noted that the Indian captain’s ability to take on short-pitched deliveries, especially with his hook shot or lofting the ball over third man, makes him a formidable batter against the Australian attack.

I don’t think they will fail in Australia: Michael Clarke

On the other hand, Clarke hailed Virat Kohli’s class and said that his performance has consistently been exceptional in Australia, and the upcoming five-match Test series, starting on November 22, will not be different. Notably, Kohli has over 600 runs in 13 Tests at an average exceeding 50 to his name in Australia.

Furthermore, the former Australian batter acknowledged that Rohit, as captain, may be given some leeway, while Kohli’s status as the world’s best batter over the past decade might afford him a bit more tolerance in case of any rough patches in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

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Michael Clarke said on ESPNCricinfo: “Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are coming into Australian conditions, which suit their playing styles. Virat Kohli's class is undeniable, and his phenomenal record in Australia speaks for itself. I don’t think they will fail. As captain, Rohit might be given some leeway, and for someone like Virat, who has been the world’s best batsman for over a decade, I think Virat might get a bit more slack than somebody else as well.”

Australia tour can be Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's last Test series!!

However, Clarke hinted that the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 can turn out to be Kohli and Rohit’s last outing in Australia if they fail to deliver. He said that there will be no dropping but a straight retirement, but he hopes both Rohit and Kohli regain their top form on the Australia tour.

Clarke signed off by saying, “If it is their last time here in Australia, I think it will be retirement. They would not be dropped, but in the same breath, I think every cricketer knows that if you are not making runs or taking wickets, there will be conversations around that kind of thing. So, I hope for this series’ sake, I hope for test cricket's sake, they both come out and get back to their best form and score plenty of runs for India, but for test cricket as well.”

Could this be the last Test series for Rohit and Virat? 🤔

Michael Clarke doesn't think so 🗣 #AUSvIND #AroundTheWicket pic.twitter.com/SDXsq8x03y

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 14, 2024