Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s futures are not dependent on their performance in the next ODI series against Australia. He stressed that both players have had distinguished careers, and their legacies cannot be determined by just three games on the forthcoming trip, which begins October 19.
Notably, India will face Australia in a three-match ODI series, which begins on Sunday in Perth. Both Rohit and Kohli have been picked to India’s 15-man team for the series. Chopra was asked on his YouTube channel to discuss the veterans’ future if they fail to deliver in the series against Australia.
“One thing is clear – three matches won’t decide their future. They can’t even decide their present because they have such a huge fantastic legacy. Their body of work is massive. So how can you say that you can drop them if three matches don’t go good and keep them in the team if they do well in three matches?,” Chopra responded.
The Agra-born added that there should be no speculation surrounding the future of the two modern batting greats. He highlighted that both players have already established themselves among the all-time greats of the game. Kohli has amassed 14,181 runs at an average of 57.88 in 290 ODI innings, while Rohit has accumulated 11,168 runs at an average of 48.76 across 265 outings with the bat.
“I am not going to be on that kind of boat or ship, and I won’t speculate or anticipate at all because it shouldn’t be done at all. Just think about it, we are talking about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. They are absolute white-ball legends,” said Chopra.
Aakash Chopra acknowledged that Rohit and Kohli might not find runs in the opening game in Perth.
However, the cricketer-turned-commentator argued that discussions about the star India duo’s future should only arise if they endure a prolonged lean patch across two or three series, rather than being judged on a single performance.
“I feel the start might not be good in Perth. It’s a big possibility because it is the Optus pitch, there is a lot of bounce, and both are coming out completely cold, and suddenly a ball might come where they get out. If it happens, so be it. Then Adelaide and Sydney will come,” the former India batter said.
“I want runs to be scored, but, god forbid, even if they aren’t, I don’t think there will be any immediate difference to their life. They will play the South Africa and New Zealand series as well, and if we are discussing this at that time as well, that two series have passed, and what would happen if they don’t score runs in the third as well, then I will entertain this question,” he concluded.
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