The Indian cricket team faced a challenging Test series against New Zealand, resulting in a disappointing 0-3 loss that has left fans and analysts questioning the performances of star players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Both batsmen struggled throughout the series, leading to calls for their removal from the team.
Performance Overview
In the 2024 domestic season, Rohit Sharma managed only 133 runs across 10 innings, while Virat Kohli fared slightly better with a total of 192 runs. Both players combined scored just two half-centuries over five Tests, a stark contrast to their past performances. While India recently won a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, their dismal performance against New Zealand has reignited discussions about the future of these seasoned players.
This is not the first time the Indian team has faced difficulties against New Zealand; a similar situation arose during the World Test Championship in 2019. After the series, Rohit Sharma openly acknowledged his subpar performance as both captain and batsman, admitting he failed to deliver his best.
Virat Kohli’s Form Woes
Virat Kohli has been grappling with poor form throughout the 2024 season. In six Tests, he managed to score only 260 runs at a disappointing average of 22.72. Once a dominant force against spinners, Kohli’s average at home has plummeted from 72.45 (2013-2019) to just 32.86 in recent times. His struggles are further highlighted by the fact that he has fallen victim to left-arm spinners 12 times since 2020, a concerning trend that has raised alarms among fans and selectors alike.
Rohit Sharma’s Continued Decline
Rohit Sharma, who led India to victory in the T20 World Cup, has also been struggling to find his rhythm. Despite a commendable 400 runs in the series against England earlier this year, he managed only 91 runs in three Tests against New Zealand. A particularly alarming moment came during a chase of 147 runs in the Mumbai Test when he was dismissed by a short ball from Matt Henry. In his last 10 Test innings, Rohit has scored more than 20 runs only twice, raising questions about his ability to perform under pressure.
The Team Management’s Dilemma
Given the declining form of key players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, the Indian team management has opted to replace them with younger talent in domestic cricket. However, the question remains: can Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli be dropped under such circumstances? While both players have made significant contributions to Indian cricket, their current performance levels are cause for concern.
As selectors look for potential replacements and the team explores new talent, the tolerance for Kohli and Rohit’s inconsistent performances is waning. With crucial series like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the horizon, it remains to be seen how long the selectors will continue to back these two veterans amidst growing pressure for change.
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