Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has expressed concern over the recent form of two of India’s most prominent top-order batsmen, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their performances have become a topic of scrutiny in recent times and Gavaskar also warned that if the pair fails to return to form soon, the pressure on the Indian team to make changes could increase significantly. Both batters registered depressing figures in the three-match Test series against New Zealand, which India lost 0-3.
"Definitely yes. If they don't score runs in Australia, there will be a clamour for a new-look Indian team to start from the tour of England," Sunil Gavaskar said on India Today.
"It's ticking for everybody. It's not just them. But, because they are in their 30s, mid-30s, it will be tougher for them than the guys in the early 20s or early 30s. But, the clock is ticking for everybody. Which is why I say, the more you are playing, the more you will be prepared to meet the demands of modern-day cricket," he said.
Gavaskar also maintained that this was the rarest of the series (against New Zealand) where both batters failed to live up to the expectations.
"Totally understandable (focus on Kohli and Rohit failures). This is one of those rare series where both of them have not been able to score runs (Kohli and Rohit). Don't forget, Kohli got a 70 in the second innings in Bengaluru. It's just one of those rarities where both these stalwarts have not been able to make significant contributions," he stated.
"Something like this... look, a bad patch comes to everybody. Sometimes, a couple of bad patches can happen, that's what sporting life is all about. But, how you come back from those bad patches tell how good a player you are and your character as a sports person. What we are going to see in Australia is really going to be interesting. What we are going to see in Australia will determine the future of the Test team.”