Rohit Sharma just needs to work on his fitness. Virat Kohli will know what to do: Sidhu
Navjot Singh Sidhu has come forward in support of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, asserting that India’s premier batters will overcome their current slump and shine once again. Speaking to India Today’s sister channel, Sports Today, Sidhu emphasised the duo’s track record of resilience and their critical role in India’s cricketing success over the years.
India’s recent struggles in Test cricket, including a 3-1 series loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, have sparked concerns about the futures of Rohit and Kohli in the longest format. Their inconsistent performances, coupled with mounting pressure from fans and critics, have raised questions about their ability to bounce back. However, Sidhu believes their past achievements warrant patience and trust. Sidhu highlighted Kohli’s ability to self-reflect and address technical shortcomings. For Rohit, he stressed the importance of improving fitness levels to regain form.
“Someone who has scored 80 centuries, and has close to 10,000 runs (Virat Kohli), no one needs to tell him anything. He will go home, watch the videos, and he will understand that his bat is playing away from the body. He will come up with a solution too. That’s the same with Rohit,” Sidhu said.
“Comparing Rohit and Virat in terms of technique is very odious. He just has to work on his body fitness. He is a fantastic player, he is pure gold… How much have I met Rohit Sharma? Maybe 20 minutes on the ground during IPL. Today he wasn’t able to play well against Australia, but in T20 World Cup it was this Rohit Sharma that hit Mitchell Starc for 3 sixes. Has everyone forgotten that? He is human after all. The more he practices, he will get better and better,” he added.
A Tough Season for Rohit Sharma
Rohit endured one of his worst Test campaigns in 2024-25, managing just 164 runs in 15 innings at a dismal average of 10.93. His struggles extended to his captaincy, with decisions lacking clarity during critical moments, particularly in the shocking 0-3 series defeat to New Zealand. Critics have also noted that his form with the bat seemed to affect his confidence as a leader.
Despite the slump, Rohit Sharma buried the speculations about his Test future in a candid interview with the broadcaster at the Lunch break on Day 2 of the Sydney Test match. His leadership during India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph remains a testament to his capability to deliver under challenging circumstances.
Virat Kohli’s Fight Against Inconsistency
For Virat Kohli, the story has been one of fleeting brilliance amid inconsistency. He showed promise with a century in Perth during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but struggled to maintain form, scoring only 85 runs in the final four Tests. Bowlers exploited his weakness outside off-stump, raising concerns about his ability to adapt.
Sidhu believes that Kohli’s immense experience and hunger for success will drive his return to form. “Kohli thrives on challenges, and this phase is just another obstacle he will overcome,” Sidhu said.
The Champions Trophy Looms Large
With the Champions Trophy fast approaching, both Rohit and Kohli face immense pressure to deliver. The upcoming ODI series against England will serve as a crucial testing ground for the duo to regain their rhythm, provided the duo actually feature in the series.
Sidhu’s message is clear: Rohit and Kohli have proven their worth time and again and should be afforded the opportunity to silence their critics. As the Indian team prepares for future challenges, the contributions of these two stalwarts remain pivotal to their success.
