"Is this the beginning of the end?" - Aakash Chopra on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's performances in IND vs NZ 2024 Test series
Aakash Chopra has questioned whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's indifferent numbers in the recent home Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand imply that the end of their careers is approaching. He pointed out that the two modern batting greats are not even being judged based on the lofty standards they have set.
India registered a convincing 2-0 win in the two-match series against Bangladesh despite Rohit and Kohli's underwhelming performances. However, New Zealand handed them a 3-0 defeat in the recently concluded three-match series, with the experienced duo failing to fire yet again.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener questioned whether the dismal performances in the two home series imply that Rohit and Kohli are nearing the end of their glorious careers.
"Is this the beginning of the end, if we talk about Virat and Rohit? They are not looking good. You have the home season numbers in front of you and these numbers are worrying. If these numbers are not worrying you, you are either blindfolded or you don't want to look that way," he said (11:00).
"These are not Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's numbers. You are not even comparing them with their standards. You are comparing them with the normal standards an opener or No. 4 batter should have," Chopra added.
Rohit has aggregated 133 runs at an average of 13.30 in 10 innings against Bangladesh and New Zealand. Kohli has scored 192 runs at an average of 21.33 in his 10 innings in the two home series.
"I feel it has become an issue now" - Aakash Chopra on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's indifferent form
![Rohit Sharma has scored more than 25 runs just once in his last 10 innings. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/475ad-17307029857321-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's form is a concern heading into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
"If you are seeing a massive gap, there is a problem, and the problem is not only until here. This problem will also be there in the upcoming BGT (Border-Gavaskar Trophy). I feel it has become an issue now," he said (11:30).
The renowned commentator added that it's virtually unbelievable that the duo have experienced such a prolonged lean run.
"10 innings at home is a lot, and if you score only one fifty in that, and one has an average of 13 and the other has an average close to 20, we had never thought we would see such a situation with Rohit and Kohli. Even while speaking I feel whether I am saying the correct thing," Chopra observed.
India will want Rohit and Kohli to return to their run-scoring ways against Australia. Reports suggest that the Indian skipper might even miss one of the first two Tests Down Under due to personal reasons.