Will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continue to be mainstream players for Team India in the ODI format, or should the BCCI look beyond them?
The form of senior India batters, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, has been dismal over the past few months. The duo struggled both in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia and during the home Test season preceding the tour.
Once the cornerstone of India’s batting lineup, both Kohli and Rohit seemed a shadow of their former selves in what turned out to be a highly forgettable outing for the team. India’s Test No. 4 managed just 382 runs in 19 innings across the season, while Rohit’s numbers were even worse. The India skipper could muster only 164 runs in the 15 innings he played against Australia, Bangladesh, and New Zealand.
Should India discard their white-ball stalwarts?
While they may have struggled to make significant runs in the longest format of the game, their white-ball credentials remain undeniable. ODI cricket is arguably the duo's favored format, with both players having amassed over 10,000 runs each. Kohli leads the ODI century tally with an impressive 50 tons.
Although they have fallen short in Tests, their ODI performances tell a different story. In the last major ODI tournament, the ICC World Cup 2023, both Kohli and Rohit were outstanding. Kohli amassed 765 runs in just 11 innings, including three centuries, while Rohit plundered 597 runs at a staggering strike rate of 125.94. These two were crucial to India’s dominant campaign, which ultimately ended with a loss in the finals.
Between the mega event and the upcoming Champions Trophy, India played only six ODI games, with Kohli and Rohit featuring in just three of them. This included a surprising series loss to hosts Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series. While Kohli did not have the best of outings in that series, Rohit displayed his aggressive intent clearly during the limited opportunities. Given the small sample size, it would be unfair to judge these two quality players based on this brief stint.
Rohit and Kohli eye redemption in CT 2025
Kohli and Rohit will once again enter CT 2025 as two of India’s talismanic batters. While they are undoubtedly quality cricketers with a stellar track record in ODI cricket, they will need to leave behind their recent struggles to succeed in this tournament.
With the opportunity to become World Test Champions now out of reach, the duo will look to redeem themselves in this prestigious multi-nation ODI event. This is their chance to silence critics, bring glory to the team, and reaffirm their greatness in the 50-over format.
If all goes well and the Rohit-Virat duo find their form, it could set the perfect tone for India’s ODI ambitions, especially with the next ODI World Cup not too far away.
Looking beyond the veterans
Given their current form, success is not guaranteed for Rohit and Kohli, even though ODI cricket remains their best format. In such circumstances, considering the abundant talent India possesses and the volume of ODIs being played, it would be prudent for the team management to start looking beyond these two veterans. Promising players from the younger generation, such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Rajat Patidar, are well-equipped to take the team forward.
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