Kapil Dev backs embattled Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

Dubai: The unthinkable has happened for Indian cricket’s two biggest stars. Rohit Sharma, once celebrated for his effortless dominance, now finds himself grappling with a string of defeats and a barren run with the bat. Virat Kohli, though marginally better off with a century in Perth, isn’t entirely spared from the criticism. With India surrendering the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade, questions are mounting: Has the golden era of Rohit and Kohli reached its twilight?

While Kohli has managed to shield himself with flashes of brilliance, Rohit’s form has plummeted, leaving him under the harsh glare of scrutiny. A meagre 161 runs in his last 15 Test innings have amplified concerns, and India’s dismal 3-1 series loss in Australia has only intensified the chatter around his leadership and longevity.

Former Indian skipper Kapil Dev believes that while Rohit and Kohli’s track records earn them some concessions, self-awareness is key.

“It’s not fair for me to comment on what they should do. They know themselves, and the selector knows,” Kapil told Gulf News ahead of the 18-hole ‘Texas Pairs’ Emirates NBD CEO Masters 2025, supported by Thriwe, at the Trump International Golf Club in Dubai.

“If Rohit and Kohli are dragging their feet, the selector should take a call and see if they still have cricket within them. A bigger player will get that much extra for the team and for themselves.”

He pointed to legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar, who retired gracefully even at the height of their abilities. “Fans don’t want them to continue forever, but one day they have to retire,” Kapil said.

India’s high hopes heading into the Australia series, bolstered by victories in their two previous tours, quickly evaporated. After a promising win in Perth, Australia dominated on home turf, handing India a crushing 3-1 defeat and reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

“India played poor cricket, that’s it. The same guys who made us proud for many years have not played well,” Kapil remarked. “When you are down and out, your only job is to find ways to bounce back.”

The role of young players

Kapil avoided placing sole blame on Rohit and Kohli, instead criticising the younger players for failing to rise to the occasion. “If your main batters don’t get runs, the pressure falls on the youngsters who lack experience,” he said.

His advice for the team echoed the ethos of his 1983 World Cup-winning side: “The key lesson from Australia is that the team should not depend on one or two players, be it batting or bowling. Everyone has to contribute. That’s how you win tournaments.”

Rohit sat out the final Test in Sydney, fuelling speculation about his future. While the 37-year-old clarified on Star Sports that he is not retiring and is eager to bounce back, rumours persist about his plans to step away after the Champions Trophy in February.

BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla dismissed media reports of a rift between Rohit and coach Gautam Gambhir. “There is no rift. Form or lack of form is part and parcel of the game,” Shukla said.

Some of Rohit’s and Kohli’s struggles are due to the overemphasis on T20 cricket, which has come at the cost of their Test performances. Kapil Dev called on administrators to find a better balance among formats.

“Too much cricket is played. T20 is the new baby in town, so everybody wants to love that. The administration has to figure out how to balance Tests, One-Day cricket, and T20. It’s a tough call,” Kapil said.

Kapil closed with a simple piece of advice for the embattled duo. “Just go back into the nets and practice. Keep practicing when you’re not playing well. The only alternative is more hard work on the field,” he concluded.