India’s 10-wicket loss to Australia in the Pink-Ball Test in Adelaide has reignited criticism of the team’s senior batters, particularly captain Rohit Sharma and former skipper Virat Kohli. The defeat, which followed India’s triumph in Perth, has raised serious questions about the team’s batting and bowling strategies as they prepare for the third Test in Brisbane.
West Indies pace legend Andy Roberts is skeptical about India’s chances of bouncing back in the series. In an interview, Andy Roberts stressed the importance of addressing the batting failures ahead of the crucial Brisbane Test, which starts Saturday.
He said that he is not sure whether India will be able to revive after Adelaide, especially when Virat Kohli, one of the best batters of India, has been struggling for the past five years.
Virat Kohli’s Test average has dropped to an eight-year low of 47.72, with 2024 proving to be his worst year in the format. Across 16 innings, Virat Kohli averages 26.64, his lowest for any calendar year with at least 10 innings played. Since 2020, the 36-year-old has managed just three Test centuries. His recent struggles were evident in Adelaide, where he scored 7 and 11, both the dismissals coming from edges behind the stumps.
Andy Roberts believes Virat Kohli’s focus on Test cricket is critical to overcoming his poor form, he said that a batter can get runs and score big in Test format only when he is completely focused on the longest format. He said that the standard of Test cricket is not like the old times and even the top batters look as if they are struggling.
Andy Roberts also questioned India’s decision to bat first in the Pink-Ball Test, a move that backfired as the team was bundled out for 180 in just 44.1 overs. Australia capitalised on the first-innings collapse, building a 157-run lead before India was settled for 175 in their second innings, setting a meager target of 19 runs.
As India prepares for the third Test in Brisbane, addressing their batting inconsistencies and rethinking strategic decisions will be vital. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma under scrutiny and India trailing in the series, a strong performance is necessary to stay competitive.
