In theory, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been preparing for the India vs Australia ODI series since August. Since the Bangladesh white-ball tour was postponed to 2026, they knew what their next assignment was.
Should Rohit-Kohli have arrived early?
Despite both of them struggling in Australia, which led to their Test retirement, neither Rohit nor Kohli decided to arrive early Down Under. Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif thinks that this was one of the reasons behind both of them failing in the India vs Australia 1st ODI.
“Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had the opportunity. But maybe they thought they would go together with the team, as people are behind them anyway. There might have been pressure, like ‘Virat should travel with the team’; he has shifted to England, so that pressure was there. It would have been another problem if he had not travelled with the team. So he got caught in this,” said Kaif on his YouTube channel.
Rohit and Kohli have been playing in Australia for over a decade now. But age and form aren’t on their side anymore. It would have been better had they arrived early and acclimatised to the conditions.
“These two had an opportunity to go there eight to ten days earlier. No matter how big a batter you are, this is a game of rhythm. A team like Australia will not spare you if you are not in rhythm. I feel it would have been better if they had arrived earlier,” he added.
Why Rohit Sharma got out
Kaif pointed out that Rohit was dismissed not because it was an exceptional ball from Josh Hazlewood but due to a lack of game time. Had he arrived early, he might have played with more confidence instead of being cautious.
“Rohit pulls the short ball. He pulls the ball that he got out to. But because he did not have enough game practice and it was seaming with Hazlewood in good rhythm, he had to be prepared. If he is in form, he hits that ball for a six. But maybe here, he thought to take some time and get used to the pitch. He seemed to be in two minds. Due to a lack of practice and preparation, his confidence was low in this game,” he said.
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