Rohit Sharma, one of India’s most celebrated batters, has faced a challenging 2024-25 Test season. In 15 innings, Sharma has managed to score only 164 runs, resulting in a remarkably low average of 10.93—his poorest performance to date. This average now stands as the lowest ever recorded by a top-seven batter with at least 15 innings in a single Test season.
Adding to his woes, Sharma has been dismissed for single-digit scores ten times, a rare low point in his otherwise illustrious career. These frequent failures have significantly hindered his contributions to the team, raising questions about his form and adaptability in the current cricketing landscape.
Virat Kohli’s Uncharacteristic Struggles
Virat Kohli, another stalwart of Indian cricket, has also endured a challenging 2024-25 season. Across 19 innings, Kohli has registered ten single-digit scores, matching Sharma’s tally. Despite his reputation as a dependable run-scorer, Kohli’s inconsistency has been glaring, particularly in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), where he accumulated just 190 runs in nine innings at an average of 23.75.
While his unbeaten century in Perth offered a brief moment of brilliance, his remaining eight innings yielded a mere 90 runs. Kohli’s vulnerability against deliveries outside the off-stump has been a significant concern, with Australian pacer Scott Boland frequently exposing this weakness. Boland dismissed Kohli four times in six innings, conceding only 28 runs in 68 balls.
A Rare Low for Indian Cricket Icons
For Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the 2024-25 Test season marks an unusual downturn in their cricketing journeys. Both players, known for their dominance at the crease, have found themselves atop an unenviable list of top-seven batters with the highest number of single-digit dismissals in a season. Their struggles highlight a broader issue for the Indian batting lineup, which has been heavily reliant on their performances in the past.
As the season progresses, both Sharma and Kohli will need to regroup and find their rhythm to restore confidence in their abilities and strengthen India’s batting order. Their ability to bounce back will be crucial for the team’s success in future fixtures.
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