Sunil Gavaskar on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's Form: A Balanced Perspective
Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary former Indian cricketer, has weighed in on the recent struggles of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, particularly following India's disappointing 0-3 Test series loss to New Zealand. While acknowledging the challenges the star players are facing, Gavaskar urges fans and critics not to overreact to their current form.
Current Struggles
Both Rohit and Virat had lackluster performances in the series, particularly in the third Test where they were dismissed cheaply while chasing a target of 147. India ultimately fell short, bowled out for just 121 runs. Gavaskar highlighted that even the best players experience tough patches, especially under challenging conditions.
"Even the best of players go through bad patches. These weren't easy pitches to bat on in all three matches," he explained. "Sometimes you need a bit of luck… like you make the first mistake and the ball goes only near the stump. Somebody drops a catch, a close LBW goes in your favor. But when going through a bad patch, everything goes against you. A brilliant catch is taken, or you get an unplayable delivery."
Match Practice and Preparation
Gavaskar also pointed out that a lack of recent match practice might have contributed to their difficulties. He suggested that top Indian batters should have participated in the Duleep Trophy ahead of the series against New Zealand to ensure they were adequately prepared.
"They should have had some practice, definitely. It's a long gap. I know we beat Bangladesh and therefore it looked as if it's going to be a cakewalk against New Zealand," he noted. "But New Zealand obviously had the better attack. Almost half the New Zealand side played here during various stages of the IPL, so they have an idea of what the pitches do."
Looking Ahead
As India prepares for their upcoming tour of Australia, Gavaskar emphasizes the importance of not placing too much pressure on Rohit and Virat. With a few days off before training resumes, the focus will be on regaining form and building a strategy for the challenges ahead.
In conclusion, while the current performance of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli may be concerning, Sunil Gavaskar's insights remind fans that form can be cyclical and that both players have the capability to bounce back. As the team gears up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, there is hope that they will reclaim their form and contribute significantly to India's success.
