The statistics are stark. Rohit Sharma, the captain, has managed only 133 runs in 10 innings, while former captain Virat Kohli has scored 192 runs in the same number of innings. Together, they recorded just two fifties over five Tests at home in the 2024 season. Although India secured a victory against Bangladesh in a two-Test series, their subsequent series against New Zealand saw them falter dramatically, losing 0-3 in a manner that exposed their vulnerabilities for the first time in many years.

Few expected India to lose a home Test series – especially against New Zealand, a team that has struggled on foreign soil since the Test World Cup began in 2019. A 0-3 score increased the disbelief. New Zealand, brilliantly led by Tom Latham, exceeded expectations and outshone India in all aspects of the game.

Still, one has to wonder: did India inadvertently hand the series to the Black Caps?

In his post-match press conference, Rohit Sharma admitted that he was not at his best, both as a captain and as a batsman. He faced tough questions and admitted that his tactical missteps may have contributed to the one-sided loss.

Several factors have come into play. Indian batsmen have struggled on pitches that aid spin, which Simon Doull noted after the Pune Test — The notion that Indian batsmen are inherently superior to those from teams like England, Australia and New Zealand when facing spin is a misconception.

Also, India appeared to be tactically outmatched by New Zealand. From fielding placements to bowling changes and batting order, the newly formed leadership group of Rohit and Gautam Gambhir has faced scrutiny.

Yet we must not overlook the shortcomings of Rohit and Kohli, two of India’s most skilled players, during what is arguably the Test team’s biggest slump in history.

IS KOHLI DOING ENOUGH TO FIND FORM?

Virat Kohli has played six Tests in 2024, amassing just 250 runs at an average of 22.72, well below his career average of 50. His struggle against spin since 2020 has become evident; his average in India has fallen from 72.45 (2013-2019) to 32.86, with 24 of his 57 dismissals in this period against spin.

Kohli’s performance against left-arm spin is particularly worrying, as he has averaged just 20.41 against this type of bowler, and has been dismissed 12 times in 58 dismissals since 2020. In the last domestic season alone, he was out four times against left-arm spinners. spinners, once each to Shakib Al Hasan and Ajaz Patel and twice to Mitchell Santner.

Despite these growing struggles in conditions once familiar to him, Kohli seems reluctant to participate in domestic cricket. In a telling statistic, he last played in the Ranji Trophy in November 2012, before Sachin Tendulkar’s last appearance in the tournament.

Both Kohli and Rohit had the opportunity to compete in the Duleep Trophy ahead of the Test series against Bangladesh. After their T20I exit following the World Cup triumph in June, they could have used these matches to hone their skills. The BCCI encouraged contracted players to participate in domestic red-ball competitions, but Rohit and Kohli were the only two batsmen exempted.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH ROHIT?

Rohit Sharma’s numbers have also dropped significantly since the start of the domestic season following the T20 World Cup victory. He has tried adopt an aggressive strategy against the new ballsimilar to his white ball strategy, but this has backfired.

While he scored 400 runs in challenging conditions against England earlier this year, he managed just 91 runs in three Tests against New Zealand, often falling to the pacers as he tried to impose himself at the start of the innings.

In the final innings of the Mumbai Test, with India chasing 147, Rohit carelessly tried to hit Matt Henry’s short ball into the stands, leading to a collapse as the top order fell to 29 for 5, before Rishabh Pant made a valiant save.

In this period, Rohit has only passed the 20-run mark twice in 10 innings, with just one fifty made in the more favorable conditions of the second innings of the first Test in Bengaluru.

Questioning Rohit’s approach, Anil Kumble said, “I am a bit surprised by Rohit’s shot selection and approach itself. Running down a fast bowler early does not send a positive message. While it may look impressive when it works, it suggests that the pitch is unplayable , and this is the only way to score.”

Unlike Kohli, Rohit peaked in Test cricket later in his career. But his selfless approach seems to be hurting the team more than helping in this format. It is puzzling why Rohit, who found success playing a more traditional style after being promoted to the opening slot, has switched to a strategy that is yielding little success.

If players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane can be released and instructed to return to domestic cricket to earn their way back into the Test team, why should different standards apply to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma?

Are the management and selectors not setting a worrying precedent, especially when the board has tried to stress the importance of domestic cricket?

Will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli play an innings of two in domestic cricket before the Australia tour?

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