Former Australia captain Adam Gilchrist feels that India’s 0-3 defeat to New Zealand in the Test series could affect the confidence of senior players ahead of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Gilchrist is particularly interested in seeing how Rohit Sharma and the team respond to the setback.
Key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma struggled throughout the three-match series, scoring just 93 and 91 runs, respectively, across six innings. The pair have managed only one half-century in their last five Tests, raising concerns ahead of the five-match series in Australia.
Additionally, senior all-rounders Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja also failed to make an impact with the bat. Gilchrist stated Fox Sports (via the Times of India):
“I think that will raise some questions internally and the pressure, the expectation and the desire from a passionate cricketing nation to see that change around, that’ll ride heavily on those shoulders of all those players.”
“There are a few ageing players there who may start to even second guess themselves a little bit. There’s some high-class cricketers in that Indian squad. It’s going to be fascinating to see how they rebound from that challenge.”
He further added:
“It does (have an impact), more for the Indian players and the Indian team internally. They have to be asking themselves pretty hard questions.”
“I’m not expecting them to come out and be easy beats, but I do think on the back of that loss and the fact that it was a clean sweep — I cannot remember when that’s happened to them, just losing a series, let alone a clean sweep.”
Adam Gilchrist has represented Australia in 96 Tests. In the absence of Ricky Ponting, he captained the team to a 2-1 series victory in India during the 2004/05 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“That is the key”- Kerry O’Keefe emphasizes Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s importance for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Former Australia spinner Kerry O’Keefe highlighted the significance of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, stating:
“They still have key players, which is why India remains dangerous. Bumrah and Pant are major assets, and Shubman Gill will become a top-class number three. With Jadeja and Ashwin, they have quality spinners if the pitch turns.”
“However, their star players are in the twilight of their careers, and they’re aiming for one last shot at us—Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. That’s the key. They’ve been exceptional, but coming to Australia at this stage of their careers is tough,” he added.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will begin in Perth on November 22.
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