Rohit Sharma-led Team India recently faced a humiliating loss against New Zealand where the BlackCaps defeated India 3-0 in a three-Test match series. India's first home Test whitewash since South Africa's 2-0 victory in the 1999-2000 season. This marks the first time India has been swept 0-3 in a home series.
Former India cricketer Pragyan Ojha warned India captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 scheduled to be hosted by Australia. Rohit and Kohli and currently going through a rough patch as Rohit has scored only 133 runs in his last 10 Test innings, while Kohli hasn't fared much better, scoring 192.
"They need to take full responsibility because they are senior players. They are in bad form at the moment, and because of that India's collapse looks worse," said Ojha, speaking on Cricbuzz's post-match show.
Ojha, who played alongside both Rohit and Kohli during his career, emphasized the need for them to step up and take responsibility in a young Indian batting lineup.
In the series against New Zealand, Kohli and Rohit are the only players over 30 in India's top six. Yashasvi Jaiswal is just 22, while Shubman Gill is 25, and both Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan are 27.
Ojha cautioned that Australia will present a tough challenge for the experienced pair during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
"The Australia series will be crucial for both of them. If they find form there, India will feel a little bit comfortable. Down Under, Australia will know that India are coming after losing a home series, and that too a whitewash. Australia will be ahead in mind games and make good use of it," warned Ojha.
India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-2025
Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.
Travelling reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed.
The Schedule
First Test: November 22-26: Perth Stadium
Second Test: December 6-10: Adelaide Oval (D/N)
Third Test: December 14-18: The Gabba, Brisbane
Fourth Test: December 26-30: MCG, Melbourne
Fifth Test: January 3-7: SCG, Sydney.
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