Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s poor form a concern ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy

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India’s preparations for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia have hit a snag following their recent 2-0 series loss to New Zealand. The Pune Test, in particular, exposed significant weaknesses in India’s batting lineup, especially with senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma failing to deliver the strong, anchor roles that were desperately needed.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s bizzare run in Test Cricket contiues

In the Pune Test, Kohli managed only 18 runs across both innings, while Rohit Sharma could muster just 8. Their struggles were highlighted by their dismissals against New Zealand’s left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, who has become a persistent thorn in Kohli’s side. Santner dismissed Kohli twice in the Pune Test, and Kohli’s average against left-arm spinners has dropped significantly over the past few years.

The lack of stability from these key players has raised concerns as India prepares to face Australia’s top-quality bowlers like Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon. The upcoming Mumbai Test against New Zealand will be a final opportunity for Kohli, Rohit, and the team to regain confidence and build momentum ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

India cannot afford to enter the Australia series on the back of a disappointing home series, as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is known for its intensity and competitiveness. A win in Mumbai would not only help India recover from the New Zealand losses but also secure critical World Test Championship points.

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