NEW DELHI: Team India is feeling the pressure after losing the Test series to New Zealand. It’s the first time they have been whitewashed at home in a three-Test series and the poor show by batters has come under scrutiny. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were a big disappointment during the series as the experienced duo failed to get going. India are now set to take on Australia in a high-profile Border Gavaskar Trophy and need a 4-0 result to qualify for the World Test Championship final.
Former India pacer Karsan Ghavri, who represented India in 39 Tests and 19 ODIs from 1975 to 1981, believes it’s high time for Rohit and Virat to step up in red-ball cricket. According to the former left-arm pacer, their performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy could well determine their future in Test cricket.
In an exclusive chat with TimesofIndia.com, Ghavri speaks about Rohit and Virat, India’s struggle against, upcoming series vs Australia and more. Edited excerpts:
With India losing the series to New Zealand, will this impact their confidence heading into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?
It was a very, very poor performance. I am really disappointed with the way our batters performed, especially Rohit and Virat. If you can’t perform well in your own conditions, what will you do in Australia? First, you lost in Bengaluru and made changes for the second Test, but then lost that match within three days. What is this? In Bengaluru, the first day was washed out due to rain, and India still suffered a defeat.
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I blame our batsmen for this. We are not putting enough runs on the board. In Bengaluru, we were all out for 46. In Pune, we didn’t score more than 260 in either innings. That is very poor batting. Apart from Yashasvi Jaiswal, no one showed the grit to score runs. In Tests, you need big partnerships.
Our top batsmen—whether it’s Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, or youngsters like Shubman Gill—needed to build at least two big stands. These batters must understand that they need to put up scores of over 350 or 400 to be competitive in a Test match. In bowling, you need to take 20 wickets. When our bowlers are struggling in home conditions, what will they do overseas? Really disappointing. There’s a big question mark. I don’t know how we’re going to fare in Australia.
How would you assess Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s recent form as they prepare for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?
Neither of them is in great touch; let’s accept that. They are not scoring runs. Of course, they are class players. Class doesn’t disappear, but sometimes, both need to restart. They just need one good, big innings to get back on track. Virat and Rohit are definitely under pressure. They need to occupy the crease more and score runs. A player like Shubman Gill needs to step up and score big. Thirty or forty runs won’t help. Ravindra Jadeja has been scoring runs, but the top six batsmen must put up a solid score. Otherwise, we will continue to struggle.
India recently announced their squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, notably without Shami in the pace attack, while Siraj is out of form. What are your thoughts on the Indian pace setup?
The new bowlers will struggle in Australia. It will be very difficult for them to bowl in those conditions. Shami should have been there. He has experience in Australia, and he is a senior bowler. Shami’s presence would have been a big support for Bumrah. India needs Shami badly. Unfortunately, he’s not there. India can’t depend solely on Bumrah. Mohammed Siraj is there, and he has some experience, but bringing in two new fast bowlers is not ideal.
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Will Jasprit Bumrah face extra burden leading this bowling unit?
Yes, there will be a lot of pressure on Bumrah. He will be under immense pressure, as will Siraj. Bumrah and Siraj will have to shoulder much of the burden with the new ball. You can’t expect the third fast bowler to perform like the experienced ones. If they play three fast bowlers, you’re unsure how the third will fare, so Bumrah and Siraj will definitely have to do a lot of work.
KL Rahul has been struggling lately. Could India consider bringing in Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, known for their stability in the middle order? What’s your view on this?
Probably the selectors are looking at the age factor. Rahane and Pujara have plenty of experience in Australia, and both have been scoring runs in Indian domestic cricket. Their presence would have been a much better option for India in Australia. We know how Rahane and Pujara have performed in Australia. They could have been given a chance. When touring Australia, you need experienced players. Unfortunately, the selectors have different ideas, and this could backfire.
What is your prediction for the upcoming five-match series in Australia?
Australia are the favorites. India is under tremendous pressure, especially after losing the series to New Zealand. My prediction is 60 percent Australia, 40 percent India.
Do you think the Australia tour could determine the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Test cricket?
Definitely, 200 percent yes. They need to score big. If they don’t perform, it’s time for them to call a time on their Test careers. If they don’t perform in Australia, Virat and Rohit should retire. They have done a lot for Indian cricket, but the team needs runs to win. We need to build a team for the future. How long will we keep players who aren’t performing?
If they perform, keep them; if not, why select them? If players are selected without performance, then bring in Cheteshwar Pujara or Ajinkya Rahane. If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli aren’t scoring runs, then who will score? In a country like Australia, you need experienced players who can occupy the crease, stay longer, and put up big scores. To beat Australia in Australia, you need big totals on the board.
India’s recent struggles against spin have been a major talking point, especially given their usual dominance in home conditions. Would you say that the ‘hunter has become the hunted’?
In the Test series against New Zealand, some of our batsmen played very poor shots and got out. New Zealand’s batsmen scored runs on the same pitch. Our batters seemed to play shots more suited for T20 cricket, which wasn’t needed in a Test. You need patience in Tests, to wait for the right deliveries, occupy the crease with singles and doubles, and capitalize on loose balls. Our batsmen looked clueless in their own conditions. In India, we are supposed to excel against spin bowling, but here, they struggled greatly. It’s not a good sign.