The next one month could well decide the international careers of Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli, states a report. India plays a total of three ODIs against England starting this Thursday, followed by the Champions Trophy that begins on February 19. The duo was heavily criticized after their poor show with the bat that led to India’s loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Rohit scored a mere 31 runs in three matches, while Kohli only returned with 190 runs in nine innings, scoring one hundred in nine innings. The first Test was missed by Rohit due to the delivery of his second chile, while he opted out of the series decider in Sydney.
As per the report in Dainik Jagran, the BCCI has given Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar along with the selection panel the go-ahead to take whatever decisions are necessary in the best interest of Indian cricket.
“The time has come to move on. Did you see the performances during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy? Their Ranji trophy performances? The next two series are crucial,” the report quoted a source as saying.
There is pressure on Kohli too. He too faces an acid test in the next one month, which includes the Champions Trophy.
The report has stated that Kohli’s future in the Tests is up for discussion. Just like Rohit, if Kohli does not stand up, Gambhir and Agarkar will have a massive call to make.
Which might even mean that Kohli may not be considered for the Indian Test tour coming up next: a five-match Tour of England after the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Rohit and Kohli played a game each for their respective state teams for Ranji Trophy towards the last phase of the group stage.
Rohit could only muster scores of 3 and 28, while Kohli scored only in the first innings as the Delhi team crushed the Railways. Kohli was clean bowled by pacer Himanshu Sangwan of the Railways for six runs.
If Rohit and Kohli do not proceed to England, India will play the Test Series under a new captain. Jasprit Bumrah is the prime candidate, but his fitness will be a major consideration.
