Former Australian batter Michael Hussey feels it is ridiculous to write off the legendary duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The veteran duo is under the pump for their mundane performance in the recent past and they will look to turn the tables against Australia
Rohit scored 91 runs in three Test matches against the Kiwis at an average of 15.17 whereas Virat Kohli could only score 93 runs in three Test matches at an average of 15.50.
Furthermore, Rohit could only manage 42 runs in two Test matches at an average of 10.50 against Bangladesh, Kohli scored 99 runs in the same series at an average of 33.
However, Kohli has scored 2042 runs in 25 Test matches against Australia at an average of 47.48, including eight centuries. Kohli has even better numbers while playing in Australia as he has scored 1352 runs in 13 Test matches at an impressive average of 54.08, including six centuries.
On the other hand, Rohit Sharma has scored 708 runs in 12 Test matches against Australia at an average of 33.71 but the Indian captain will miss the opening Test after the birth of his second child.
Michael Hussey said on TOI, “We’ve seen it so many times to write off champion players… pundits come out and say that Rohit Sharma is finished and Virat Kohli is no good anymore, that’s just ridiculous. They’re legend, legendary players.”
“They’re proud players. If you write them off, you’re just going to end up having egg on your face, because they will perform well again. They’re too good not to. I think it’s silly to write them off and write off the Indian team as well. It’s just not in my vocabulary.”
On the other hand, Ravichandran Ashwin had a mundane series against New Zealand as he could only take nine wickets in three matches at an average of 41.22. Hussey is expecting Ashwin to turn a corner against Australia in the all-important Test series.
“I think Ashwin, he might have struggled the first couple of times that he came to Australia, like a lot of players do. A smart bowler and a smart man over time, and over more tours, will figure out how to bowl well in Australian conditions. And so I’m expecting if he plays the majority of the Tests, I’m expecting him to have a really good series,” said Hussey.
“He can play a really important role for India because if he can bowl really well and strongly at one end, then that enables the captain to attack from the other end, to rotate the fast bowls around from the other end.”
The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.
