Last Updated:
Michael Vaughan said the age factor has perhaps made a huge impact on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s batting form.
The form of both Rohit Sharma (L) and Virat Kohli (R) remains a concern ahead of Australia Test series. (Image: Sportzpics)
Michael Vaughan seems concerned about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s form ahead of the high-voltage Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The veteran Indian batters failed miserably in the last Test series at home where New Zealand whitewashed them to notch a historic win. Rohit managed just 91 runs while Kohli scored 93 in those three matches. The duo must return to form if India have to produce a positive result in the next five-match Test series. Vaughan, however, remains doubtful about how Rohit and Kohli will negotiate with the Australian bowling attack featuring the likes of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.
“The one thing that India are going to require to win here in Australia is Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli getting big runs and getting back to their best. I hope they do, I fear they won’t,” the former England captain told Fox Sports, as per the Hindustan Times.
Vaughan further mentioned the age factor which has perhaps made a huge impact on Rohit and Kohli’s batting form. They, however, will need to step up to help India defend the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
“I fear that they might just be over the edge and when you face an Australian attack that is up there with the greatest that has ever played the game in their own backyard, you’ve got to arrive here with solid technique and you’ve got to arrive with amazing mentality,” Vaughan opined.
ALSO READ | ‘India Will Win A Test But…’: Ricky Ponting Makes Prediction For Border-Gavaskar Trophy
The cricketer-turned-pundit also reminisced about the last time when India toured Australia and beat the hosts at Gabba. Rishabh Pant had a key role in the famous win. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter contributed with an unbeaten 89 when his team was chasing a hefty target of 328. Notably, Kohli did not feature in the last three Tests of the 2020-21 series.
“I mean last series they won, they had no Virat Kohli to chase down that target at the Gabba. Australia hadn’t lost a Test match at the Gabba in 32 years. But I will say there’s a real concern around Kohli. That full toss that he missed to Mitchell Santner, that’s not Virat Kohli. You’re looking at a player that’s just fighting for form at the minute,” Vaughan explained.
Kohli has averaged 33 in the Test matches he has played over the last five years. He will be desperate to showcase his A-game in the series against Australia. India need a positive result in the five-match assignment to keep their hopes alive for the next World Test Championship (WTC) final.
- Location :
London, United Kingdom (UK)
