Abhishek Nayar Defends Kohli and Rohit Amid Poor Form Ahead of Mumbai Test
He stated, “I wish we could curate pitches, but we don't. Curators do. Whatever we are provided with, we go play on that. As cricketers, we don't get conditions according to what we want. Yes, at times, when a top player goes through a lull, it's about giving them space and trusting them to do the work.
As India gears up for the third and final Test against New Zealand, set to take place on November 1, questions surrounding the poor form of key players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have taken center stage. Following a disappointing series, where India lost their first home Test series in 12 years, the pressure mounts on the team's batting lineup, especially on its star performers.
In the second Test held in Pune, the Indian batting stalwarts faltered, with Rohit Sharma scoring a duck in the crucial second innings and Kohli falling victim to an unusual dismissal—a full toss that bowled him out in the first innings. The batting woes extended to other players, including Shubman Gill and Sarfaraz Khan, compounding the pressure on India's bowlers.
Addressing the media ahead of the match at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India's batting coach, Abhishek Nayar, shared insights into the challenges faced by the top order. While acknowledging that Kohli and Rohit are not performing at their usual standards, Nayar emphasized the importance of patience and trust in their abilities.
He stated, “I wish we could curate pitches, but we don't. Curators do. Whatever we are provided with, we go play on that. As cricketers, we don't get conditions according to what we want. Yes, at times, when a top player goes through a lull, it's about giving them space and trusting them to do the work. Whether you are a Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma or even someone as young as Shubman Gill, the effort is there, the approach is great.”
Nayar further noted the significance of being patient with established players, saying, “They’re putting in hard yards. Sometimes, you got to be a little patient with great players. They can have tough times. Sooner rather than later, we will have more to praise about Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma.”
With the World Test Championship (WTC) standings tight, India holds a slender lead over second-placed Australia. The upcoming match against New Zealand will not only serve as a chance to salvage pride after the series loss but also play a crucial role in India's bid for a spot in the WTC final. Following the Mumbai Test, the team will head to Australia for the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where both Kohli and Rohit will be looking to regain form and assert their dominance on the international stage.
