India National Cricket Team assistant coach Abhishek Nayar spoke about the poor form of the batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Abhishek Nayar said that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s return to form in Test cricket is just a matter of 25-30 deliveries.
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Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have struggled in BGT 2024-25
Former India captain Kohli was dismissed for 5 runs in his first innings in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Perth. However, in the second innings, he smashed a spectacular century.
Following that, he has struggled to get going and has been dismissed while chasing deliveries outside off-stump. In the Adelaide Test, he returned with scores of 7 and 11, and in the Brisbane Test, he scored 3 runs.
Meanwhile, the current Indian skipper Rohit Sharma missed the Perth Test and then struggled to bat well in the Adelaide and Brisbane Tests as he registered scores of 3, 6, and 10. Overall, Rohit has just one fifty-plus score in his last 13 innings while Kohli has just two in his previous 15 innings.
The thought is behind making sure what kind of zone they need to make those runs – Abhishek Nayar
Speaking after the end of the play on Day 1, India coach Abhishek Nayar said that both Rohit and Kohli need to start well and spend time in the middle to get back to form.
“I always believe it’s about having that confidence and getting off to a good start. If they get that, their game looks different. I believe both Rohit and Virat are the kind of players that if they face 25-30 deliveries, you’ll see them back in their usual form,” he said.
While backing Rohit Sharma’s ‘modern day greats will figure their path’ remarks for Kohli, Abhishek Nayar said:
“As Rohit said, generally when you’re having a discussion with an experienced player, it’s around their focus and game plan. Every player has their weakness. They will get dismissed one way or another. The thought is behind making sure what kind of zone they need to make those runs.”
A lot of credit to the way Sam played – Abhishek Nayar
Abhishek Nayar also showered rich praise on teenage batting sensation Sam Konstas for his stunning 65-ball 60 in his debut Test innings against India. He said:
“A lot of credit to the way Sam played. The intent he showed in the first few overs sort of put us on the backfoot. But I felt it took a lot of character from our bowlers to stick in there.”
However, Nayar was satisfied with the way Indian bowlers made a comeback after being stunned by the youngster’s exceptional batting in Melbourne. He elaborated:
“It wasn’t the easiest conditions to bowl, we felt. They were good to bat on. At times like that, it’s important to stick to your guns. I felt we came back really strong post-Lunch. Bowling those maidens, putting the pressure.
“At times like that, you are taken by surprise when someone plays a knock like that. But I felt we responded really well and through the day kept at it, and reaped the rewards towards the end. Overall, you look at the day, we were happy with where we ended.”
