India’s senior cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been going through a rough patch of form in the last few months. Both the batters had a horror home Test season and then failed to make a significant impact in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as well.
However, England’s top-order batter James Vince has backed Rohit and Kohli to get out of their lean patch soon. India will tour England for a five-match Test series after the end of IPL 2025. The series will be important for both the players and they will be tested in English conditions which are conducive for the seamers.
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James Vince backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
During a conversation with IANS, James Vince was asked about the poor form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Vince backed both the batters to regain form in the Test series against England and feels that both of them will find ways to perform.
“It’s hard to predict. English conditions can be bowler-friendly, but they can also favor batters on certain days. The quality of players like Virat and Rohit is undeniable. If they still have the hunger and desire to play Test cricket, history suggests they’ll find a way to perform,” Vince said.
The 33-year-old feels that both Rohit and Kohli will make a strong comeback if they are determined to play Test cricket. He hailed the strengths of both the star cricketers but claimed that they can afford to fail sometimes.
“We’re not used to seeing players of that caliber go through extended bad runs, but it shows that they’re human. I’m sure they’ll come back strong if they’re motivated to succeed,” he added.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s recent form
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli failed miserably in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Rohit scored just 31 runs in three Tests at a miserable average of 6.20. Meanwhile, Virat had slightly better returns with 190 runs in five Tests at an average of 23.75.
Rohit Sharma even had to miss the last Test of the series in Sydney owing to his poor form. In his absence, Jasprit Bumrah led the team but India lost the match. On the other hand, Virat Kohli was constantly tested outside the off stump and was dismissed and caught behind the wickets on all eight occasions.
Both the batters came into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the back of a poor Test season at home. Rohit scored 133 runs at an average of 13.30 while Kohli aggregated 192 runs at an average of 21.33 in the five Test matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand.
Key to India’s Champions Trophy campaign
While both players have been in poor form in Test cricket, they will be India’s key players in the upcoming Champions Trophy. In the last ICC tournament for the 50-over format (ODI World Cup 2023), both of them played a key role in India’s surreal run to the final.
Rohit Sharma has been appointed India’s captain and is likely to open the batting alongside Shubman Gill. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli is most likely to keep his favorite No. 3 spot in India’s batting line-up.