<p>Melbourne: The debate surrounding Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s struggle to find form and their place in the Indian Test setup is as intense as it is layered. Suggestions have been made that the struggling duo should follow R Ashwin's path into retirement. While that sounds a bit uncharitable, the criticism isn't without a reason. </p>.<p>Both players have been the backbone of India’s batting for over a decade, and their careers are richly decorated. However, their prolonged struggles -- especially in Tests -- are hard to ignore, particularly as India transition towards building a younger core for the future.</p>.How Symonds allowed Monkey-Gate to sink his career .<p>Kohli’s extended lean patch is particularly surprising given his relentless work ethic and ability to bounce back from adversity in the past. His obsessive approach to preparation and fitness has been a hallmark of his career, making his continued struggles all the more baffling.</p>.<p>Kohli’s repeated dismissals, chasing deliveries outside the off-stump, are a troubling pattern. Despite visible efforts to address this in practice, it persists in matches, hinting at either a technical flaw or a mental block. Comparisons with Sachin Tendulkar’s discipline during his Sydney masterclass in 2004 are apt. Kohli could benefit from adopting a similar mindset, curbing his natural instincts to play in the off-stump channel in favour of attritional cricket.</p>.Did Ashwin get his timing wrong?.<p>The numbers also paint a grim picture. Kohli’s average has dropped from an elite 53.41 in 2021 to a pedestrian 47.49 — a sharp decline over just 36 Tests. With a conversion rate (a century per 3.2 Tests) that once set him apart, the inability to turn starts into substantial scores has been glaring. The era when Kohli was threatening Sachin Tendulkar’s Test century record feels distant now, as even surpassing Sunil Gavaskar’s 34 tons seems a tall order.</p>.<p>With India set to play the Melbourne and Sydney Tests, these matches represent crucial opportunities for Kohli to rediscover his mojo. While his century in Perth may have earned him some breathing space, a failure in the next few innings could raise serious questions about his place in the squad.</p>.<p>Rohit's struggles are no less concerning, the batter looking far from his best in recent outings. At 37, Rohit’s window to script a final chapter of note is narrower than Kohli’s. A lack of significant contributions in the ongoing series could lead to louder calls for a generational shift.</p>.<p>Before the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, head coach Gautam Gambhir had thrown his weight behind Kohli and Rohit, declaring "I have got no concerns whatsoever for Virat and Rohit."</p>.<p>"They are incredibly tough men. They've achieved a lot for Indian cricket, and they will continue to achieve a lot in the future as well.</p>.<p>"For me, the most important thing is that they still work really hard, and they're still passionate, they still want to achieve a lot more."</p>.<p>All that's true but where are the runs?</p>.<p>Indian cricket has historically faced tough decisions about transitioning from one era to the next. The careers of icons like even Tendulkar saw prolonged debates before he eventually stepped aside for the next generation.</p>.<p>Kohli and Rohit have earned their place in Indian cricket’s history through consistent performances over the years. Despite their recent struggles, the desire to give these legends every possible chance to revive their form is as understandable as it is desirable.</p>.<p>That said, performances ultimately trump sentiment in a fiercely competitive landscape. The immediate future hinges on the upcoming Tests.</p>.<p>Kohli and Rohit still have the skill and experience to deliver, but whether they can adapt and overcome their current challenges remains to be seen. If they fail to do so, Indian cricket must make the hard but necessary decision to prioritise the future, allowing younger players to cement their roles.</p>.<p>The next few weeks could be pivotal, not just for Kohli and Rohit, but for the direction of Indian cricket as a whole.</p>
<p>Melbourne: The debate surrounding Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s struggle to find form and their place in the Indian Test setup is as intense as it is layered. Suggestions have been made that the struggling duo should follow R Ashwin's path into retirement. While that sounds a bit uncharitable, the criticism isn't without a reason. </p>.<p>Both players have been the backbone of India’s batting for over a decade, and their careers are richly decorated. However, their prolonged struggles -- especially in Tests -- are hard to ignore, particularly as India transition towards building a younger core for the future.</p>.How Symonds allowed Monkey-Gate to sink his career .<p>Kohli’s extended lean patch is particularly surprising given his relentless work ethic and ability to bounce back from adversity in the past. His obsessive approach to preparation and fitness has been a hallmark of his career, making his continued struggles all the more baffling.</p>.<p>Kohli’s repeated dismissals, chasing deliveries outside the off-stump, are a troubling pattern. Despite visible efforts to address this in practice, it persists in matches, hinting at either a technical flaw or a mental block. Comparisons with Sachin Tendulkar’s discipline during his Sydney masterclass in 2004 are apt. Kohli could benefit from adopting a similar mindset, curbing his natural instincts to play in the off-stump channel in favour of attritional cricket.</p>.Did Ashwin get his timing wrong?.<p>The numbers also paint a grim picture. Kohli’s average has dropped from an elite 53.41 in 2021 to a pedestrian 47.49 — a sharp decline over just 36 Tests. With a conversion rate (a century per 3.2 Tests) that once set him apart, the inability to turn starts into substantial scores has been glaring. The era when Kohli was threatening Sachin Tendulkar’s Test century record feels distant now, as even surpassing Sunil Gavaskar’s 34 tons seems a tall order.</p>.<p>With India set to play the Melbourne and Sydney Tests, these matches represent crucial opportunities for Kohli to rediscover his mojo. While his century in Perth may have earned him some breathing space, a failure in the next few innings could raise serious questions about his place in the squad.</p>.<p>Rohit's struggles are no less concerning, the batter looking far from his best in recent outings. At 37, Rohit’s window to script a final chapter of note is narrower than Kohli’s. A lack of significant contributions in the ongoing series could lead to louder calls for a generational shift.</p>.<p>Before the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, head coach Gautam Gambhir had thrown his weight behind Kohli and Rohit, declaring "I have got no concerns whatsoever for Virat and Rohit."</p>.<p>"They are incredibly tough men. They've achieved a lot for Indian cricket, and they will continue to achieve a lot in the future as well.</p>.<p>"For me, the most important thing is that they still work really hard, and they're still passionate, they still want to achieve a lot more."</p>.<p>All that's true but where are the runs?</p>.<p>Indian cricket has historically faced tough decisions about transitioning from one era to the next. The careers of icons like even Tendulkar saw prolonged debates before he eventually stepped aside for the next generation.</p>.<p>Kohli and Rohit have earned their place in Indian cricket’s history through consistent performances over the years. Despite their recent struggles, the desire to give these legends every possible chance to revive their form is as understandable as it is desirable.</p>.<p>That said, performances ultimately trump sentiment in a fiercely competitive landscape. The immediate future hinges on the upcoming Tests.</p>.<p>Kohli and Rohit still have the skill and experience to deliver, but whether they can adapt and overcome their current challenges remains to be seen. If they fail to do so, Indian cricket must make the hard but necessary decision to prioritise the future, allowing younger players to cement their roles.</p>.<p>The next few weeks could be pivotal, not just for Kohli and Rohit, but for the direction of Indian cricket as a whole.</p>