Former national selector Chetan Sharma has backed the experienced duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to shine in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Sharma even claimed that players like Rohit and Kohli are never out of form.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had endured a tough home season recently where they struggled against both Bangladesh and New Zealand. In the recent series against New Zealand, Rohit scored just 91 runs in three Tests at an average of 15.16. Meanwhile, Kohli scored just 93 runs at an average of 15.50.
The poor returns of these two batters were one of the main reasons for India’s embarrassing 0-3 series defeat to New Zealand. Both the batters will now go to Australia for a five-match Test series where they will be expected to return to form.
Also read: Australia accepts Virat Kohli as Indian captain instead of Rohit Sharma for Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Chetan Sharma backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
During an interview with TimesofIndia.com, Chetan Sharma spoke about India’s chances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. While he backed India to win the series, he also spoke about the form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Sharma claimed that players like Rohit and Kohli are never out of form and they are always in focus because of their stature. He backed both the batters to return to form and dazzle in Australia.
“Let’s honor and respect what Rohit and Virat have done for the country. Players like Rohit and Virat are never out of form. They are never in a lean or bad patch. These words shouldn’t be used for them. We are thankful to them. They are still doing it,” Sharma said.
“We always talk about them and focus on them and want them to shine every time because they are superstars. Just wait and watch what Rohit and Virat do in Australia. They will dazzle with their bats,” he added.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Australia
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been touring Australia for a decade now. While Rohit has a mediocre record on Australian soil with 408 runs in 7 Tests at an average of 31.38, Kohli has excellent numbers with 1352 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 54.08.
Both of them will be under pressure to perform in the upcoming Test series as it can also decide their future in Test cricket. Over the years, they have come up on top after various failures and can be expected to trump this situation as well.
Chetan Sharma on Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal
Further speaking about India’s future batting talent, Chetan Sharma was impressed with the likes of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal and claimed that the youngsters have learned a lot from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
“The new talents like Yashasvi, Shubman, or Ruturaj are doing their best to take the legacy forward. Shubman and Yashasvi have impressed me a lot. Shubman and Yashasvi have learned a lot from Virat and Rohit while sharing the field and dressing room with them,” he noted.
Both Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are part of India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. While Jaiswal is a designated opener alongside Rohit Sharma, Gill is likely to bat at No. 3.
Both the youngsters are seen as the future of India’s batting and they have already shown glimpses of their talent. Both of them are attacking enough and can take the game away from the opposition.
Gill has fantastic numbers in ODI cricket and is rapidly improving in Tests and T20Is. Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal has an excellent record in T20Is and Tests so far. The left-hander is yet to play an ODI but is expected to be a three-format player soon.
