"I fear that they might just be over the edge" - Michael Vaughan expresses concern over Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's form ahead of 2024/25 BGT
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has expressed concern over the form of India's legendary duo, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, ahead of the highly-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Team India is set to take on Australia in a blockbuster five-Test series, starting November 22, down under.
Despite holding the upper hand in the recent Tests against the Aussies, India will be under immense pressure. The BGT follows their embarrassing 3-0 home series whitewash at the hands of New Zealand. Among their chief concerns are the woeful form of Kohli and Rohit in Test cricket. The duo each averaged under 16 in the New Zealand series with only two combined half-centuries between them in 12 innings.
Speaking to Fox Cricket during the first Australia-Pakistan ODI, Vaughan felt the two stalwarts had to be at their absolute best for India to defeat Australia. However, he feared the worst for the duo.
"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 36 and 37, respectively, there has been speculation about Kohli and Rohit's future in Tests should they struggle in Australia.
"You're looking at a player that's just fighting at the minute" - Michael Vaughan on Virat Kohli
Michael Vaughan was particularly concerned over Virat Kohli's form ahead of the crucial Australia Tests.
The 36-year-old missed the England Tests at the start of the year. He has averaged a dismal 22 since his return to the red-ball format 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 the recent struggles, Kohli can take solace from his overall Test record in Tests in Australia. The champion batter has scored 1,352 at an impressive average of 54.08, including six centuries in 13 Tests.