Indian national cricket team assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has spoken about the poor form of batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Abhishek Nayar said Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's return to form in Test cricket is just a matter of 25-30 deliveries.
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Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli battled it out in BGT 2024-25
Former India captain Kohli was dismissed for 5 runs in the first innings of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth. However, in the second innings, he smashed a spectacular century.
He struggled to get going after that and was dismissed while chasing deliveries outside the off-stump. In the Adelaide Test, he returned with scores of 7 and 11, and in the Brisbane Test, he scored 3 runs.
Meanwhile, current Indian skipper Rohit Sharma missed the Perth Test and then struggled to bat well in the Adelaide and Brisbane Tests as he posted scores of 3, 6 and 10. Overall, Rohit has just one over fifty in his last 13. innings while Kohli has just two in his previous 15 innings.
The thought behind it is to make sure what kind of zone they need to make those runs – Abhishek Nayar
Speaking after the conclusion of Day 1's play, India coach Abhishek Nayar said that both Rohit and Kohli need to start well and spend time in the middle order to regain form.
“I always think it's about having that confidence and getting off to a good start. If they understand that, their game looks different. I think both Rohit and Virat are the kind of players that if they face 25-30 deliveries, you will see them in their usual form again,” he said.
While backing Rohit Sharma's remarks, “modern greats will find their way” for Kohli, Abhishek Nayar said:
“Like Rohit said, generally when you have a discussion with an experienced player, it's about focus and game plan. Every player has his weakness. They will be fired one way or another. The thinking behind it is to make sure what kind of zone they need to make those runs.”
A lot of credit for the way he played Sam – Abhishek Nayar
Abhishek Nayar also heaped praise on teenage batting sensation Sam Konstas for his stunning 65-ball 60 in his debut Test innings against India. He said:
“A lot of credit to the way Sam played. The intent he showed in the first few overs kind of put us on the back foot. But I felt it took a lot of character from our bowlers to hang in there.”
However, Nayar was pleased with the way the Indian bowlers bounced back after being stunned by the Melbourne youngster's exceptional batting. He elaborated:
“I felt it wasn't the easiest conditions to play. They were good to beat. At times like these, it's important to stick to your guns. We felt like we came back really strong after lunch. Bowling those girls, putting the pressure on.
“At such times, you are taken by surprise when someone knocks like that. But I felt I responded really well and kept at it throughout the day and reaped the rewards towards the end. Overall, you look at the day, we were happy with where we ended up.”