Former India National Cricket Team batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has backed the modern-day greats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to shine with the bat in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
According to Sanjay Manjrekar, the conditions Down Under will suit Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma more and it will be a sigh of relief for them to get away from the spin-friendly conditions.
Also Read: Watch: Rohit Sharma’s trusted teammate suffers huge injury scare ahead of BGT 2024-25
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had an awful run in the home Test season
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had their worst-ever run in the recent home Test season against the Bangladesh National Cricket Team and the New Zealand National Cricket Team.
The awful performances from the duo didn’t affect the India National Cricket Team in the series against the Tigers as the hosts easily won 2-0. However, Kohli and Rohit not firing led to India’s downfall against the Kiwis.
India faced an embarrassing 0-3 whitewash at the hands of the New Zealand National Cricket Team and hit a new low in the Test series as it was their first-ever 0-3 sweep at home in the history of red-ball cricket.
Kohli and Rohit didn’t play any Duleep Trophy matches before the matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand, and the unpreparedness of the duo was clearly seen. In two Tests against Bangladesh, Rohit Sharma scored just 42 runs at an average of 10.50 while Virat Kohli scored 99 runs at an average of 33.00.
As the action moved towards the three-match Test series against New Zealand, Rohit Sharma scored 91 runs at an average of 15.16 while Virat Kohli scored 93 runs at an average of 15.50.
It’s a home away from home for them – Sanjay Manjrekar
Speaking ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, which will begin on November 22, Sanjay Manjrekar issued a major warning to Australia.
He said that Kohli and Rohit will be feeling at ‘home away from home’ in Australia because they are well-equipped to play pace bowling on seamer-friendly surfaces.
“Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be thinking ‘it’s good. We are going to play in a home away from home. They were struggling a lot on turning pitches. Facing pace and bounce is not a problem for Rohit Sharma. If you have seen Virat Kohli in South Africa the last time India toured there, he was looking like India’s best player. For him, there will be a sigh of relief. It’s a home away from home for them,” Manjrekar told Star Sports.
While talking about Rohit Sharma missing the first Test, Sanjay Manjrekar said that the Indian skipper will come under huge scrutiny.
“Rohit Sharma will not be there in the first. For him, it will be a bit of a break (from scrutiny). Because of his absence, the team will be a bit more lighter,” Manjrekar said.
Rohit Sharma to miss first Test due to personal reasons
Rohit Sharma is likely to miss the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 opener in Perth due to the birth of his and Ritika Sajdeh’s second child.
The Indian skipper has not traveled with the Indian team to Australia and is currently in Mumbai with his family. However, Rohit has not kept himself away from the game.
He was seen practicing hard in the nets in Mumbai to keep himself ready for the matches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. In his absence, Jasprit Bumrah is all set to lead the team against Australia.
