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Following Jaspit Bumrah’s heroics with the ball during the 2nd innings of the 4th Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match, Australia succumbed to 234, leaving India to chase a target of 340 in 92 overs. However, the team’s top order immediately faltered with veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli departing for just 9 and 5 runs, respectively.
Amid already mounting criticism regarding their form, today’s dismissal of the two sparked widespread anger from fans on social media, who demanded both the players take a retirement call.
However, former India head coach and commentator, Ravi Shastri differed in his take and appeared to back Kohli while suggesting Sharma’s possible imminent retirement.
During Star Sports' lunchtime show, Shastri responded confidently about Kohli's future, saying, “I think Virat will play for some time. Forget the way he got out, or whatever. I think he'll play for another three or four years.”
Meanwhile, for the World Cup-winning captain, Shastri stated, “As far as Rohit is concerned, it's a call. At the top of the order, you know, just feel the footwork isn't the same. He's probably at times late in meeting the ball so it's his call at the end of the series.”
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The statements soon caught the attention of fans on social media sites like X (formerly Twitter). However, many believed that Kohli was equally at a loss in the current BGT 2024-25 clash against Australia despite hammering a century.
Fans were particularly unhappy over the 36-year-old repeatedly losing his wicket after edging an outside-edge ball, something which again happened today.
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Incidentally, in this series, Sharma has scored just 31 runs in three matches while Kohli has hit 62 runs in five innings, following his century, at an average of 12.4.
