Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Tests: 2024 has been a turbulent year for Indian cricket, especially in the longest format of the game. Amid a transition phase and mounting challenges in the ICC World Test Championship, the poor form of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has drawn intense scrutiny. Once the pillars of India’s batting, their diminishing returns with the bat have raised serious questions about their future in Test cricket.
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Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Tests: A Poor Year for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Tests – Declining Form Sparks Tough Questions
Rohit Sharma: A Captain Under Pressure
Rohit Sharma’s 2024 has been marked by an alarming slump in both form and leadership. The Indian skipper, who retired from T20 cricket earlier this year to focus on Tests and ODIs, has failed to make an impact with the bat. His inability to convert starts or play significant innings has put India in precarious situations multiple times.
Rohit’s Dismal Numbers in 2024
- Matches Played: 5
- Innings Batted: 5
- Runs Scored: 31
- Average: 6.20
- High Score: 12
Rohit’s performances in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy have been particularly underwhelming. Across five innings, he failed to cross the 50 run mark even once, averaging a paltry 6.20. In the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne, his defensive approach (scoring just nine runs off 40 balls) only added to the criticism.
As India prepares for a challenging Test series in England in mid 2025, the calls for Rohit’s retirement have grown louder. Many question whether he will even be part of the squad by then.
Virat Kohli: Struggles Continue with the Fifth Stump Ball
For Virat Kohli, 2024 was a year of fleeting brilliance overshadowed by recurring struggles. While he started the year with an emphatic century against Australia in Perth, it proved to be an outlier rather than a sign of a resurgence. His inability to handle deliveries outside the off stump noften referred to as his “fifth-stump problem” has become a glaring weakness.
Virat’s Dismal Numbers in 2024
- Matches Played: 9
- Innings Batted: 17
- Runs Scored: 376
- Average: 25.06
- High Score: 100*
- Centuries: 1
- Fifties: 1
While Kohli managed a solitary century in Perth, his other innings were forgettable, including three single digit scores. In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Kohli has mustered just 26 runs in four innings since his Perth century. His repeated dismissals poking at wide deliveries have become a troubling trend, leading many to speculate if age and declining reflexes are catching up with him.
Kohli’s Decade of Decline
The 2020s have been unkind to Kohli in Test cricket. Since 2020, he has played 37 Tests and scored just 1,964 runs at an average of 31.67. This stands in stark contrast to his earlier dominance, where he averaged over 50 consistently.
World Test Championship: A Lost Cause?
The ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle has added salt to the wounds for Indian fans. With Kohli and Rohit contributing little, India’s hopes of securing the prestigious mace seem to be slipping away.
Kohli in the WTC Cycle
- Matches Played: 12
- Innings Batted: 21
- Runs Scored: 687
- Average: 36.15
- High Score: 121
Rohit in the WTC Cycle
- Averages below 10 in the current cycle, with minimal contributions.
The lack of consistent performances from India’s most experienced players has left the team heavily reliant on younger players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant, who have carried the batting responsibilities in recent matches.
Criticism and Calls for Change
Former players and experts have not minced words about Rohit and Kohli’s poor form. Surinder Khanna, a former Indian cricketer, expressed frustration over their repeated failures. He even suggested that selectors should consider tough decisions if the two legends do not voluntarily step aside.
“If selectors are not announcing anything, then Rohit and Kohli should take a call themselves. The kind of form they are in, even part-time bowlers can get them out. It’s time to play youngsters and move forward,” Khanna remarked.
What’s Next for Rohit and Kohli?
India’s next Test assignment is a six month wait, with a series against England in mid-2025. This extended break could provide an opportunity for introspection and perhaps even a graceful exit for one or both of these giants. However, with young talent knocking on the doors, the selectors may have no choice but to make tough calls to ensure India’s competitiveness on the global stage.
Rohit Sharma’s Challenges
- Leadership under scrutiny after back to back failures in key matches.
- Poor batting form raises questions about his place in the squad.
Virat Kohli’s Challenges
- Needs to address his technical flaws outside the off-stump.
- Must find consistency to avoid being overshadowed by younger players.
2024 will go down as one of the worst years for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Test cricket. Their inability to adapt and perform in crucial moments has not only hurt India’s chances in the World Test Championship but has also cast a shadow over their illustrious careers.
As India transitions into a new era with promising young talents, it might be time for Rohit and Kohli to evaluate their roles and consider stepping aside to pave the way for the future. While their contributions to Indian cricket are undeniable, their current form suggests that the sun may be setting on two of the greatest careers in Indian cricket history.
FAQs
What are Rohit Sharma’s stats in Test cricket in 2024?
Rohit has scored just 31 runs in five innings, averaging a dismal 6.20. He has failed to score a fifty this year
What are Virat Kohli’s stats in Test cricket in 2024?
Virat has scored 376 runs in 17 innings across nine matches, with an average of 25.06. He has only one century and one fifty this year
