India cricket icon Sunil Gavaskar expressed confidence that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma would bounce back from their underwhelming performance in the Perth ODI and deliver strong displays in the upcoming second ODI against Australia in Adelaide. Despite their disappointing returns in the first ODI after a seven-month hiatus, Gavaskar emphasized that it was only a matter of time and practice before the duo regains their form.
Both Kohli and Rohit struggled in their return to international cricket, being dismissed for 8 and 0, respectively, in the Perth ODI. Gavaskar, in an exclusive interview with India Today following Australia’s victory over India, acknowledged the challenges of playing on Perth’s bouncy pitch after a long absence from the game, particularly for players like Kohli and Rohit.
Gavaskar highlighted that the duo’s return to form was inevitable with more time on the field and practice sessions. He mentioned that the upcoming matches could see a resurgence in their performance, leading to higher scores for India. Former India fast bowler Varun Aaron suggested that Kohli and Rohit should follow the example of former captain MS Dhoni by participating in domestic tournaments to maintain match fitness.
The second ODI between India and Australia will take place at the Adelaide Oval, a venue where Kohli has excelled historically. In contrast, Rohit has had a modest record at the ground. Despite their setbacks in Perth, a strong showing in the Adelaide ODI on October 23 could reignite excitement among fans for Kohli and Rohit’s return to form.