Former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has come to the defense of veteran batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are suffering from disastrous form in Test cricket. The duo’s lackluster returns played a major part in India’s shattering 3-1 defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).
It all started with the home test series against New Zealand in October 2024, where Virat and Rohit failed to get going against the opposition’s spin attack, as India were clean swept 3-0. Virat could garner only 93 runs in six innings, while Rohit garnered 91 runs in the same appearances.
Thereafter, Virat Kohli gave strong signs of return to form, with a century in the opening BGT test in Perth. However, his form dwindled and he managed to finish with 190 runs at an average of 23.75. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma missed the Perth Test and then struggled badly to score runs in the next three games. After returning with only 31 runs in five innings, he stood down from the last test in Sydney, as Jasprit Bumrah captained the Indian side.
With India losing their plot after a dominating 295-run victory in Perth, questions have been raised on the red-ball future of Virat and Rohit. Furthermore, the cricket fraternity and fans have also criticized head coach Gautam Gambhir, whose appointment has not helped the national team’s cause.
However, Yuvraj hailed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as “greats” of the game and suggested critics to remember the duo’s achievements for India in the past.
Here’s what Yuvraj said to PTI during the Tennis Ball Cricket Premier League launch in Dubai:
“I look at what India has achieved in the last five-six years. They have achieved two back-to-back victories in Australia. I don’t remember if any other team has done that. We are talking about our greats, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, we are saying very bad things about them. people forget what they have achieved in the past. They are one of the greatest cricketers of this time. Okay, they lost, they did not play good cricket. They are getting hurt more than us.”
“I feel that Gautam Gambhir as a coach, Ajit Agarkar as a selector, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, they are the best minds in cricket right now. And they have to decide what’s the way for Indian cricket in future,” Yuvraj added.
Yuvraj Singh feels loss against New Zealand hurts more
In the aforementioned interview with PTI, Yuvraj Singh claimed that the 3-0 loss against New Zealand in home conditions hurt him more than the recent 3-1 defeat against Australia in BGT. He said:
“According to me, losing (to) New Zealand is more hurting (sic). Because they are losing 3-0 at home. You know, that is not acceptable. This (losing BGT) is still acceptable because you have won two times in Australia. And this time you lost. Australia has been a dominant side for the last so many years, that is my thought.”
Yuvraj amassed 11,686 runs across all formats at an average of 34.98, with 17 centuries and 71 fifties in his storied career from 2000-17. The former all-rounder also scalped 148 wickets with the ball for the Men in Blue.
FAQs
How many runs has Rohit Sharma scored across all formats?
19,398 runs in 491 games @42.26, with 48 centuries
What is the overall track record of Virat Kohli in international cricket?
27,324 runs in 543 games @52.34 with 81 centuries
