Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's poor form is a cause of concern for India ahead of MCG Test.
India narrowly escaped the follow-on in the Brisbane Test against Australia in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, thanks to the heroics of the last pair, Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep. However, this does little to address the looming concerns about the weak links in the batting order. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill have been sitting ducks in the last two Tests, barely troubling the scoreboard. They must head back to the drawing board to resolve any technical or mental issues before padding up for the crucial fourth Test at Melbourne, starting December 26.
Here’s a closer look at how the trio has performed in the series so far and what adjustments they can make to return to scoring runs consistently in the middle.
Virat Kohli
How he has performed so far in the series
Virat Kohli | Perth | Adelaide | Brisbane | Total | Average |
Runs | 5 & 100* | 7 & 11 | 3 | 126 | 31.5 |
Manner of Kohli’s dismissals
Except for the century he scored in Perth under favourable conditions and a relatively easy match situation, Virat Kohli has looked a shadow of his former self. He has struggled to occupy the crease and has been dismissed by deliveries he could have easily left alone.
In the first innings of the Perth Test and both dismissals at Adelaide, Kohli appeared indecisive about whether to play or leave rising deliveries. This hesitation prevented him from withdrawing his bat in time, resulting in edges behind the stumps. In the Brisbane Test, he edged behind chasing a fuller delivery pitched wide, around the sixth or seventh stump. It was a familiar trap, and Kohli fell for it once again.
Kohli’s apparent weakness for chasing balls outside the off stump early in his innings has often led to his dismissals for low scores. However, Kohli has failed to resist himself from playing his favourite cover drive early on, and thus paid the price with his wicket.
Keys for Kohli
Kohli could take inspiration from Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic 241 not out against Australia at Sydney in 2004. In that innings, the ‘God of Cricket’ refrained from playing a single cover drive, having identified it as a weakness that had led to his dismissals earlier in the series.
Similarly, Kohli must exercise restraint when chasing deliveries pitched well outside off stump and focus on playing closer to his body. Early in his innings, he should aim to leave as many balls as possible and settle himself at the crease. Once he adjusts to the pace of the wicket and spends sufficient time in the middle, he can build his innings and set the foundation for a big score.
Rohit Sharma
How he has performed so far in the series
Rohit Sharma | Adelaide | Brisbane | Total | Average |
Runs | 3 & 6 | 10 | 19 | 6.33 |
It’s not easy being Rohit Sharma. After reviving his Test career with an impressive turnaround as an opener, he now faces a new challenge. Making a late entry into the Australia series, he has had to drop down to No. 6 to accommodate the new opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, who combined for a stunning double-century stand at Perth.
Manner of Rohit’s dismissals
A closer look at Rohit Sharma’s dismissals in this series reveals a pattern: he is frequently getting out bowled, LBW, or edging behind. Rohit has often struggled to read the movement of the ball. When he anticipates an incoming delivery, the ball holds its line and sneaks through the gate to bowl him. Pat Cummins dismissed him in this fashion during the second innings of the Adelaide Test. Similarly, Scott Boland trapped him LBW in the first innings at Adelaide with a delivery that exploited this vulnerability.
Keys for Rohit
Rohit Sharma has been struggling against deliveries that either move away or keep straight after being angled in. His minimal footwork and failure to cover the line of the ball are compounding the issue, leaving him vulnerable. These flaws, however, are correctable with focused net sessions.
Rohit can draw inspiration from his iconic 127 against England at The Oval in 2011. In that innings, he took his time, facing nearly double the balls to reach his century, and never looked rushed to score. By leaving deliveries, playing closer to his body, and covering the line of the ball, he built a memorable knock as an opener. Adopting a similar approach and using the backfoot effectively on Australia's bouncy pitches could significantly boost his chances of success in the ongoing series.
Read More: Rohit in the midst of a rut? Yes! But his numbers need to be looked at in right perspective
Shubman Gill
How he has performed so far in the series
Shubman Gill | Adelaide | Brisbane | Total | Average |
Runs | 31 & 28 | 1 | 60 | 20 |
Manner of Gill’s dismissals
Shubman Gill played a pivotal role in India's historic win in the Brisbane Test during the 2020-21 tour, scoring a crucial 91 in the fourth innings. However, in the ongoing series, he has been guilty of throwing away his wicket after getting settled. In the first innings of the Adelaide Test, he missed a delivery on the line of the stumps after making a solid 31 off 51 balls. In the second innings, he was bowled by Mitchell Starc for 28 to a ball that swung back in. In the Brisbane Test, Gill chased a wide delivery and edged it behind for just 1.
Keys for Gill
Gill has shown the temperament, skills, and patience to make solid starts but has struggled to convert them into big scores. Lapses in concentration have been his undoing in the last two Tests. As a No. 3 batter, he is expected to not only blunt the bowling attack but also anchor the innings for as long as possible.
Therefore, Gill should focus on playing closer to his body and aim to bat as many overs as possible before looking to accelerate the scoring rate. While he has shown intent to score quickly, it has led to his downfall in the last two Tests. If Gill can show more restraint and be more selective with his shot selection, he can deliver the big hundreds expected from a No. 3 batter.
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