Virat Kohli's PR machinery in overdrive!! Australia coverage on Rohit Sharma questioned from India
Published - 15 Nov 2024, 01:01 PM | Updated - 15 Nov 2024, 11:39 PM
The buzz surrounding Virat Kohli ahead of the highly-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy has taken many by surprise. Usually, the captain of the team remains on the posters and gets the maximum attention before the start of a series let alone such a crucial one like this.
However, India captain Rohit Sharma has not been able to get too much attention from the Australian media in the lead-up to the five-match Test series. Earlier this week, Virat Kohli dominated the Australian media as his pictures emerged on the front pages of several Australian newspapers.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma all set to play Perth Test? Good news arrives ahead of BGT 2024-25
Australian media acting like Virat Kohli fanboys
Unsurprisingly, the Australian media's coverage has taken many by surprise. And with the coverage becoming the talk of the town, former India opener Aakash Chopra has also shared his views on the same.
Aakash Chopra dismissed suggestions that the buzz surrounding Virat Kohli is because of PR machinery and attributed it to the former India skipper's stunning performances in Australia.
"Test is the format if you want to earn respect in Australia and England. No matter how well you do in white-ball cricket, you won't get that much respect. However, they remember you if you have dominated them with the bat or jolted them with the ball (in Tests). You will be written beautifully in the annals of history," Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
"Is it any PR machinery that is in overdrive? Absolutely not. We were told from our childhood that Australia will be in your face. You don't play with the XI but the entire nation. They are at you relentlessly. However, if you go there and conquer those grounds and this team, if you decimate or dominate them, they become your fans," added the former cricketer-turned-commentator.
Virat Kohli has indeed enjoyed a stellar run in Tests on Australian soil. In 25 innings in Australia, Kohli has scored 1352 runs at an average of 54.08 with the help of six centuries. In the 2018-19 season, Virat Kohli also became the first Indian captain to win a Test series in Australia.
Aakash Chopra on Rohit Sharma:
Speaking further, Aakash Chopra also shared his views on Rohit Sharma's performance against Australia. The former cricketer said that while Rohit 'is an absolute GOAT' against Australia in white-ball cricket, he is yet to prove himself against them in the longest format of the game.
"Rohit Sharma is an absolute GOAT when it comes to playing against Australia in white-ball cricket. However, Rohit has never played an entire Test series in Australia. He might not play the entire series this time as well. Rohit Sharma has not yet earned that status," Aakash Chopra added.
Meanwhile, the five-match Test series will be starting next week. The first India vs Australia Test will be played on November 22 in Perth.
