It is no secret that two of India’s big superstars are struggling for runs in Test cricket. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have found it tough going in the last few months. However, Shane Watson believes that the current form of the star duo won’t impact their performance in the Champions Trophy.
The Champions Trophy is making a comeback after eight years. It will be played in Pakistan with India’s matches being held in Dubai.
India ended their ICC trophy drought with a win in the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup. They had reached the final in the 2017 edition of the Champions Trophy and were the winners in 2013. Rohit and Kohli both featured in those tournaments and fared well.
Watson admitted that ODI cricket frees both of them up and hence, their current slump in form will not play a part.
“I don’t think it (current poor form) will really play a part at all with Rohit Sharma and Virat’s impact in one-day cricket. It’s going to be different conditions where they’re playing in Dubai. One-day cricket does really free them both as well,” Shane Watson was quoted saying to the media during the Champions Trophy tour.
Kohli had a mediocre 2024. He averaged a mere 21.83 across the three formats, scoring just one hundred and two fifties. His ton came in the second innings in Perth against Australia and since then, he’s got a string of low scores.
However, Watson admitted that the former India captain is a master of the 50-over format. His numbers are exceptional – 13906 runs at an average of 58.18 and a strike-rate of 93.54. He was magnificent in the 2023 World Cup where was the Player of the Tournament. He racked up 765 runs while averaging 95.62 with three tons and six fifties in 11 innings.
“Kohli is an absolute master of one-day cricket. Yes, he’s a master of all formats, but especially ODIs. You see his extraordinary numbers over a long period of time, averaging around 57 and a strike rate of 93 over a long period of time. It’s crazy to think the control that he has over his innings,” Watson added.
I’d be very surprised if Rohit doesn’t perform really well in the Champions Trophy: Watson
Rohit’s form has been abysmal. The current Test and ODI skipper averages a mere 10.93 in his last 15 Test innings. In the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he has made just 31 runs in five innings.
However, Watson added that he’ll be surprised if Rohit doesn’t get back to his best in the Champions Trophy. The ODI format gets the best out of him. He was simply superb in the 2023 World Cup where he smashed 597 runs at an average of 54.27 and a stunning strike-rate of 125.94.
“When he goes out for the batting in one-days, he lets loose. That’s when we see the very best of Rohit Sharma. So, I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t perform really well in the Champions Trophy, knowing that he probably doesn’t have a lot of time left, whatever that is, but a lot of time left in international cricket. So, I’m sure he’ll let the handbrake off,” the former Australia all-rounder said.
