- Monday, March 03, 2025
Kohli’s five innings in the Australia series read 5, 100 not out, 7, 11 and 3 for a total of 126 runs at an average of 31.50
By: India Weekly
WITH a smile, India captain Rohit Sharma on Tuesday played down concerns around Virat Kohli’s struggles in Australia and backed his longtime teammate to the hilt.
Kohli’s five innings in this series Down Under read 5, 100 not out, 7, 11 and 3 for a total of 126 runs at an average of 31.50, not something the team or the batting maestro himself had hoped for before embarking on the challenging tour.
But Rohit, who is also battling poor form, is not losing his sleep over the lack of runs and is confident of a turnaround.
When a question about Kohli’s struggles was posed to him with some sugar-coating, the skipper added a dash of his own humour in his response.
Do you say something or leave a modern-day great alone, the scribe asked.
“You only said he is a modern-day great. Modern-day greats figure out their own path,” said a smiling Rohit as others broke into a peal of laughter.
With the chatter about his form gaining decibels and rumours about an imminent retirement post Sydney gaining traction, Rohit’s answers about himself were short.
Asked about his batting position, he was borderline irritated.
“Let’s not worry about that. I think who bats where, we should be discussing that within ourselves and I shouldn’t be answering this question in every press conference,” the skipper said, trying to hold his composure.
At the onset, he informed that his knee which was hurt while batting on an old practice track, was “fine”.
As usual, he didn’t give away anything about whether playing two spinners while factoring in the Melbourne heat was feasible or not.
The inimitable Rohit was back lacing everything with a bit of humour when asked what led to the selection of Tanush Kotian over Kuldeep Yadav.
“Well Kuldeep didn’t have visa,” he smiled before informing that the wrist spinner is still not hundred per cent fit.
“Axar couldn’t travel as he has had a baby. I am not saying Tanush is bad but he is here more as a cover,” he said.
The five-match series is levelled at 1-1 with all to play for in the remaining two matches in Melbourne and Sydney. (PTI)
