India captain Rohit Sharma has expressed confidence in Virat Kohli’s ability to tackle challenges with deliveries outside the off-stump in Australia. Speaking ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, Rohit emphasized that players of Kohli’s caliber always find ways to succeed.
Kohli ended a string of low scores with a brilliant unbeaten century in the first Test in Perth. However, in the ongoing five-match series, he has often fallen to balls moving away from his stumps. Despite this, Rohit remains optimistic about Kohli’s form.
“Modern-day greats will figure out their own ways to deal with challenges,” Rohit stated.
Rohit’s Own Challenges
Rohit himself has had a tough time with the bat recently. Since rejoining the team for the second Test after the birth of his son, he has scored 3, 6, and 10. His shift to the middle order hasn’t delivered the desired results, raising questions about whether he might return to the opening position.
Addressing this, Rohit said, “Let’s not worry about ‘who bats where.’ It’s something we’ll figure out internally. Our priority is finding the best combination for the team’s success.”
Support for Shubman Gill
Rohit also backed young batter Shubman Gill, who has been struggling in Test cricket. In 12 away Tests, Gill has scored 616 runs at an average of 30.80, with one century and two fifties. In SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries, his performance dips further, averaging just 26.72.
“If he gets going, we know he can be very dangerous,” Rohit said. “In Adelaide, he looked good but couldn’t convert his starts into big scores. Brisbane was just an unlucky dismissal early in his innings.”
Rohit highlighted that challenging overseas tours test young players but reminded everyone that foreign teams also struggle on Indian pitches.
Team’s Progress in the Series
India started the series with a dominant 295-run victory in the first Test but faced a crushing 10-wicket loss in Adelaide. The third match in Brisbane ended in a rain-affected draw, leaving the series tied at 1-1.
“At 1-1, it’s a fair reflection of how both teams have performed,” Rohit remarked. “These final two Tests are crucial for both sides. Right now, our focus is on Melbourne—getting the strategy right and playing well.”
Squad Updates
India has brought in uncapped Mumbai all-rounder Tanush Kotian for the last two Tests, as pacer Mohammed Shami was ruled out due to a knee injury.
As India gears up for the Boxing Day Test, the focus remains on strengthening the team dynamics and maximizing individual performances to secure a series win.
