Indian test cricket is at a crossroads. The twin titans, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, once heralded as the pillars of the team’s success, have now become its Achilles’ heel. Their abysmal performances in recent matches, capped by a crushing 284-run defeat in Melbourne and a humiliating 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand in November, have exposed a leadership vacuum and a batting collapse of epic proportions. The time has come to wield the axe, not for the sake of symbolism, but to rescue Indian cricket from a prolonged slump.
Rohit’s decision to return to the top of the order in Melbourne was meant to rekindle his waning form. Instead, it shattered the team’s already fragile confidence.
Dismissed for a paltry nine runs, his tour aggregate of 31 runs at an average of 6.20 is the worst by any visiting captain in Australia, worse even than pacer Courtney Walsh’s record as a tailender. The result? India capitulated from a steady 121 for 3 to a dismal 155 all out, handing Australia a decisive lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Tactical missteps are no stranger to Rohit. From misjudged batting orders to poor field placements, his captaincy lacks the acumen required at the highest level. As Sunil Gavaskar had aptly suggested after the New Zealand rout, it is time for Rohit to be relieved of his captaincy duties. JaspritBumrah, with his sharp cricketing mind and calm demeanour, is a natural choice to lead India into a new era.
Kohli’s struggles are equally glaring. His tour has been marred by repeated dismissals outside the off-stump - a damning indicator of a batsman who has lost his touch. His refusal to adapt, coupled with a string of low scores, reflects poorly not just on his form but also on his leadership as a senior player.
Fans and critics alike are hesitant to hold Kohli accountable, fearing backlash or clinging to memories of his glorious past. But nostalgia cannot dictate the future of Indian cricket. Kohli must be shown the door or relegated down the batting order, making way for the next generation of talent.
Indian cricket boasts an enviable bench strength. The emergence of Yashasvi Jaiswal as a generational superstar underscores the team’s resilience and depth. It is time to embrace this new crop of players and build a team for the future. For too long, the shadow of Sharma and Kohli has stifled growth, with selectors reluctant to make the bold calls necessary for progress.
The failures of this duo are symptomatic of a larger malaise: a reluctance to innovate, an inability to adapt and an over-reliance on fading stars. As painful as it may seem, sacking Sharma and Kohli is not just an option but an imperative.
The choice before Indian cricket is stark. Cling to the past and risk mediocrity or make the tough decisions now and secure a brighter future. For the sake of Indian cricket, the latter must prevail.
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