Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has urged the senior players of the Indian team to step up when the team needs them the most. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the biggest players in India’s current Test team, are going through a rough patch.
Both batsmen have struggled for runs since the start of India’s home Test season. Having both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma going through a lean patch at the same time hurts the team more.
Their batting struggles were at the forefront of India’s recent defeat at home to New Zealand. The men in blue lost the first match in Bangalore where the batsmen struggled on a surface that suited the seamen. The struggle continued in the second Test in Pune, but this time on a spin-friendly surface.
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Irfan Pathan urges Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to “step up and deliver”.
After India lost the second Test in Pune, Irfan Pathan took to social media to express his thoughts. The former India pacer congratulated New Zealand for winning the series but claimed that India have a lot to work on.
He urged the team’s senior players to step up in this format, adding that the next three months would be crucial for India.
“Well done New Zealand for winning the series on Indian soil! Lots to think about for Team India. Big players need to step up and perform in the latest format of the game. The next three months will be crucial,” wrote Irfan Pathan on X (formerly Twitter). .
Well done New Zealand for winning the series on Indian soil! There is a lot to think about for the Indian team. Senior players need to step up and deliver in the latest format of the game. The next three months will be crucial for them.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 26, 2024
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli numbers
India captain Rohit Sharma has scored just 62 runs in four innings of the two Tests against New Zealand so far at an average of 15.50. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli scored 88 runs at an average of 22 runs.
Both batsmen have struggled against New Zealand’s bowlers so far and have failed to secure runs in tough situations in this series. India would hope that both of them will be among the runs in the third Test match in Mumbai.
India’s next Test task
After the ongoing Test series against New Zealand, India will travel to Australia for a five-match Test series in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Given Australia’s prowess at home, the series will be a serious challenge for Rohit Sharma and his men.
With the two defeats at the hands of New Zealand, India’s chances of reaching the final of the World Test Championship also suffered a major blow. The Men in Blue now need to win the third Test against New Zealand and then win three matches against Australia to reach the WTC final next year.
