"Rohit Sharma has not yet earned that status" - Aakash Chopra on the Virat Kohli hype in Australian media ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25
Aakash Chopra reckons the hype surrounding Virat Kohli ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is because of his excellent Test performances in Australia. He pointed out that Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper, hasn't been as dominant in Tests on Australian soil.
India will face Australia in a five-Test series, with the first game starting in Perth on November 22. Kohli has been extolled by the Australian media ahead of the series, with the host broadcasters also using the former Indian captain and home skipper Pat Cummins' images on their posters.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener attributed the Kohli hype to his domination of Australia in Tests in the latter's home conditions.
"Why is it for Virat Kohli? Test is the format if you want to earn respect in Australia and England. No matter how well you do in white-ball cricket, you won't get that much respect. However, they remember you if you have dominated them with the bat or jolted them with the ball (in Tests). You will be written beautifully in the annals of history," he said (2:25).
"Virat Kohli is not demanding, he is commanding this respect. If you see the white-ball format, Rohit Sharma is an absolute GOAT when it comes to playing against Australia. However, Rohit has never played an entire Test series in Australia. He might not play the entire series this time as well. Rohit Sharma has not yet earned that status," Chopra added.
Kohli has amassed 1,352 runs, including six centuries, at an average of 54.08 in 25 Test innings in Australia. Rohit, on the other hand, has aggregated 408 runs, with no centuries, at an average of 31.38 in 14 Test innings Down Under.
"Absolutely not" - Aakash Chopra on the Virat Kohli hype being a PR machinery overdrive
![Virat Kohli has an overall Test average of 47.48 against Australia. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/5e649-17316425601845-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra ruled out the possibility of the Virat Kohli hype being a public relations exercise.
"Is it any PR machinery that is in overdrive? Absolutely not. We were told from our childhood that Australia will be in your face. You don't play with the XI but the entire nation. They are at you relentlessly. However, if you go there and conquer those grounds and this team, if you decimate or dominate them, they become your fans," he said.
The cricketer-turned-commentator noted that Sachin Tendulkar got similar respect in Australia due to his Test performances Down Under.
"They will be the first ones to stand up and greet you with applause. They will actually bow to you. We have seen this with Sachin Tendulkar. To earn respect in Australia and England, you have to go there and score runs or pick up wickets in Test matches. The moment you do that, you will be celebrated, but till that time you won't get that kind of respect," Chopra observed.
Chopra acknowledged that the Australian media and broadcasters are trying to sell brand Kohli. However, he added that their core feeling is that Kohli is the emperor and that he might be playing his last Test series in Australia.