Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's announcement of his retirement following the Brisbane Test against Australia earlier this month prompted media speculation regarding potential retirements during or after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. This led to rumours suggesting that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both of whom have faced challenges in the current series, might soon follow Ashwin's lead, signalling the conclusion of a remarkable era in Indian cricket. The speculation intensified on Monday after both players experienced disappointing performances in Melbourne, yet former India coach Ravi Shastri offered differing opinions on the two seasoned batsmen.

Rohit Sharma's struggles continued on Day 5 of the fourth Test, where the Indian captain was dismissed for 9 runs off 40 balls while chasing 340 to secure the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The 37-year-old has accumulated a mere 31 runs across five innings, resulting in an average of just 6.20, marking the lowest for a visiting captain in a series in Australia. This performance is part of a broader decline in form since September, during which he has only managed 164 runs at an average slightly above 10.

Conversely, Kohli did achieve a century in Perth, which raised hopes for a resurgence following a difficult home series against New Zealand in early November. However, the 36-year-old's subsequent performances yielded scores of 7, 11, 3, 36, and 5 in his next five innings.

In light of the declining performances of these two pillars of Indian cricket, Shastri, while addressing broadcasters on Day 5 of the fourth Test, expressed that Virat Kohli still possesses the capability to extend his Test career for another World Test Championship cycle, whereas it may be time for Rohit to consider retirement. 

“I believe Virat will continue playing for a few more years. Regardless of how he got out, I see him playing for another three or four years. As for Rohit, it’s a decision he must make. At the top of the order, it seems his footwork is not quite the same. He appears to be late in meeting the ball at times.”

Modern-day Bradman also faces challenges

The main issue regarding Kohli's performance has been his renewed susceptibility to deliveries outside the off-stump. The former captain of India has been dismissed six out of seven times by this type of delivery in the current series. Nevertheless, Shastri remained optimistic, asserting that Kohli performed better during the Test at the MCG.

"He's reminiscent of the modern Bradman, yet even he struggles with deliveries just outside the off stump," remarked former England cricketer Mark Nicholas during the lunch break on Day 5.

Shastri further commented, "Australia has been unyielding in their approach. They consistently tested his patience. He left many balls alone. Despite the dismissals, I still believe he has batted well in this Test match. The right moment will arrive, but the bowling has been exceptionally good, especially when it starts swinging. Once Starc begins to swing the ball into the right-handers at 140 kph, it becomes quite challenging. The nature of his dismissals has been quite similar. The temptation to play the moving cover drive outside the off stump is strong, and he found it hard to resist. This is something he will need to contemplate moving forward."

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