India’s recent defeat to Australia in the Melbourne Test has sparked criticism over the performances of senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, with former cricketer Surinder Khanna highlighting their continued struggles in the longest format of the game. While India failed to prevent Australia from claiming victory, Khanna directed attention towards the lackluster form of the two stalwarts, questioning their recent performances and future in the team.
Khanna took a pointed dig at Kohli and Rohit, questioning what they have been doing in recent innings, especially when both players have failed to deliver consistently in the past 40-45 innings. He emphasized the need for tough decisions from selectors, urging the team management to consider removing them from the playing XI if their poor form continues. “You and I can’t throw them out, but selectors need to take a call if they continue to fail,” Khanna said. “Even if you bowl to them now, they will get out. It’s time for the selectors to make the tough call.”
Rohit Sharma, who has been struggling for runs, was particularly criticized for his lack of aggression in the Melbourne Test. Having played a cautious knock of 9 runs off 40 balls, Rohit failed to capitalize on his solid defense and was dismissed while attempting to attack Pat Cummins. His dismissal opened the floodgates, and soon after, KL Rahul was sent back for a duck in the same over. Kohli, too, followed suit with a poor shot selection before lunch, falling to Mitchell Starc. These dismissals left the Indian team in a precarious position, with Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant providing the only stability in an otherwise disastrous collapse.
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Khanna also pointed out that the selectors need to act if the pair continues to underperform, urging them to bring in younger players for the next Test. “We outclassed Australia under Bumrah’s leadership, but since Rohit returned, we have been struggling,” Khanna remarked. “It might sound harsh, but sometimes harsh decisions are necessary to win.”
Virat Kohli’s struggles in Test cricket have been a point of concern for quite some time. Despite an unbeaten century in the first Test at Perth, Kohli has failed to make significant contributions in the subsequent matches, scoring just 26 runs across four innings, including three single-digit scores. In 2023, Kohli managed only 614 runs in 9 Tests at an average of 25.06, which is far below the standards set by the former captain. His overall performance in the 2020s has been a significant dip, with just 1,964 runs in 37 Tests at an average of 31.67, and only three centuries to his name.
Rohit Sharma has also struggled to find form since his return to the Test side. The seasoned opener has only scored 31 runs from five innings at a dismal average of 6.20. His recent performances, especially in the Bangladesh series, have raised concerns. Rohit managed only 42 runs in two Tests against Bangladesh, averaging just 10.50, which has led to further criticism of his inability to deliver in key Test matches.
Both Kohli and Rohit are under immense pressure to return to form, as their prolonged slump has begun to raise doubts about their place in the team. With younger players waiting for an opportunity to make their mark, the selectors are likely to face a difficult decision in the coming Tests.
As India looks ahead to the Sydny test, the performances of these senior players will be closely watched, and many will be hoping for a resurgence in their form to help the team bounce back in the ongoing series.
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