Whether you are Gavaskar or Tendulkar is irrelevant. Kapil asks, "If you don't score a 50 in 14 games..." Form of Rohit
MI captain Rohit only managed to score 248 runs in 14 appearances during the just-finished IPL season, averaging 19.14 and striking out at a rate of 120.17.
Watching Rohit Sharma in his element is one of the sport's best sights. The beautiful right-handed hitter had a nightmare IPL season this year despite being among the best ball timing. For the first time since his debut in the first edition in 2008, Rohit had his lowest season, scoring just one half-century. In 14 innings, he only managed to score 248 runs at an average of 19.14 and a strike rate of 120.17.
Five-time IPL champions finished bottom in the points table at the end of a poor tournament under Rohit. Despite many setbacks, Rohit is prepared to lead India on his first overseas assignment. India and England will square off in the fifth and final Test, which has been rescheduled for July 1, in Birmingham.
Rohit, who was rested for the domestic T20I series against South Africa, hopes to make a fresh start and accumulate runs. He had scored 368 runs in 4 Tests throughout the first four Test matches in England, including a hundred and two fifties, demonstrating his ability to bat well in any situation. His current batting average, though, says otherwise.
Kapil Dev, a former captain of India, has also questioned Rohit's lean patch, stating he ought to have played in the match against South Africa at home. "Today, it's challenging to determine who has been given a break or requested one. On UnCut, Kapil stated that only selectors will be aware of this.
"There is no denying the player's brilliance (Rohit). But whether you're Gary Sobers, Don Bradman, Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, or Viv Richards, questions will be asked if you don't get a fifty in 14 games. Only Rohit is qualified to respond to this question. Is the amount of cricket too much, or has he become bored with it?"
Virat (Kohli) and players like Rohit should enjoy the game, in my opinion. For their performances, how they are feeling is crucial."
In addition, Kapil discussed the players' mindsets and asserted that if the Indian pair keeps up their subpar performance, it will be "difficult" for naysayers to remain silent. Similar to Rohit, Virat Kohli had a quiet IPL season in which he had three golden ducks. His tournament average of 22.73 was his lowest since the 2010 campaign.
Even previous players like Brett Lee and Ravi Shastri felt that Kohli should take a sabbatical to "freshen up the head" as a result of his recent batting slump.
You need to get runs" (to get back in form). Based just on reputation, you cannot advance very far. The opportunities will eventually run out. After 14 games, how many opportunities would you need? I don't know why they're rested. Where will they be given an opportunity to play if dropped? It's quite challenging to watch them play the way they do right now," added Kapil.
"I believe that these guys need to adjust their way of thinking. If they disprove my claims, I will be pleased. There must be an issue if you aren't scoring runs. Either there is an excess or a deficit of cricket. Only your performance is visible to us. It may be difficult to terminate conversations if performance has declined. It isn't feasible. Your actions and bat should speak for you. Rest is not important.
"To us, Kohli resembles a hero. We once wondered if a player would emerge whom we could contrast with Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, and Rahul Dravid. That's not how we ever thought. Then Kohli showed up on the scene. The comparison is now obsolete (for the past two years). He'll have to psychologically prepare for his cricket, "Added he.