Former England captain Michael Vaughan has raised concerns about the form of India’s star players, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, ahead of the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India is set to face Australia in a five-Test series starting November 22 in Australia.
Despite recent success against the Aussies, India will be under significant pressure, especially after their humiliating 3-0 home defeat to New Zealand. One of their main worries is the poor form of Kohli and Rohit in Test cricket.
Both players averaged under 16 in the New Zealand series, managing just two half-centuries between them in 12 innings. Speaking to Fox Cricket during the first Australia-Pakistan ODI, Vaughan emphasized that the duo must perform at their best for India to succeed against Australia, though he expressed concern about their current form.
“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,” he said.
“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,” he added.
At ages 36 and 37, there has been growing speculation about Kohli and Rohit’s Test careers if they continue to struggle in Australia.
“You’re seeing a player who is currently just fighting to find form”- Michael Vaughan on Virat Kohli
Michael Vaughan expressed specific concern about Virat Kohli’s form ahead of the important Tests against Australia. The 36-year-old was absent from the England Tests earlier this year and has struggled since his return to Test cricket, averaging just 22 in matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand at home.
“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,” said Vaughan.
Despite his recent struggles, Kohli can find comfort in his strong overall Test record in Australia. The seasoned batter has amassed 1,352 runs at an impressive average of 54.08, including six centuries in 13 Tests.
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