"It's not a concern" - Aakash Chopra on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's form heading into IND vs BAN 2024 2nd Test
Aakash Chopra is not concerned about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's form heading into the second Test against Bangladesh starting in Kanpur on Friday, September 27. He pointed out that the two Indian batting stalwarts haven't endured a prolonged lean run.
Rohit aggregated 11 runs across his two innings in the first Test in Chennai and was caught in the slips against seamers on both occasions. Kohli scored 23 runs in his two hits, falling caught behind off Hasan Mahmud's bowling in the first innings and given out leg-before-wicket off Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the second essay, although replays suggested he had got an inside edge.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra replied in the negative when asked whether Rohit and Kohli's form is a concern heading into the Kanpur Test.
"I will say it's not a concern. It happens at times that runs aren't scored. Runs not getting scored could be a concern if it's a long patch. They played in the T20 World Cup final and both left at an amazing high," he said (0:35).
The former India opener noted that Rohit was in excellent form in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, although Kohli, who played a match-winning knock in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, wasn't among the runs against the Lankan Lions.
"After that, you wish to take a little leave and rest. However, they were sent to Sri Lanka for the ODIs. Rohit Sharma looked very good. He didn't face any difficulties. Virat Kohli didn't score runs there and after that, there was no other cricket," Chopra observed.
Rohit Sharma smashed 157 runs at an average of 52.33 and a strike rate of 141.44 in three ODI innings against Sri Lanka. On the flip side, Virat Kohli managed only 58 runs at an average of 19.33 and a strike rate of 84.05 in his three knocks.
"Maybe it would have been better if they had played" - Aakash Chopra on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli not playing in the Duleep Trophy
![Rohit Sharma was among the few Test regulars who didn't play in the first round of the Duleep Trophy. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/6f196-17273247762532-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra opined that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli might have benefitted had they played in the Duleep Trophy game before the first Test.
"They didn't play in the Duleep Trophy and I know there was a question attached to your question, about whether not playing the Duleep Trophy became a cause for concern for them. Maybe it would have been better if they had played because there is no hesitation or shame in playing," he said (1:00).
However, the reputed commentator acknowledged that Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja too didn't feature in the Duleep Trophy but excelled with both bat and ball in the series opener against Bangladesh.
"We have seen Sachin Tendulkar go and play in Lahli. Everyone has played domestic cricket and this Duleep Trophy actually happened to give a little practice for red-ball cricket. However, Ashwin and Jadeja also didn't play. They didn't face any difficulties either in batting or bowling. So let's not make a mountain out of a molehill," Chopra noted.
Ashwin smashed 113 runs in India's first innings and took six wickets in Bangladesh's second innings. Jadeja scored 86 runs in his only knock and accounted for five dismissals across the two innings.