Former Indian cricketer Surinder Khanna has voiced strong criticism of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli following India’s crushing 184-run defeat to Australia in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Khanna has urged the team management and selectors to bench the underperforming stars, emphasizing the need for bold decisions to rejuvenate the team.

Rohit Sharma, who missed the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Perth, has struggled for runs throughout the series. In five innings across three Tests, the Indian captain has managed only 31 runs. His decision to shuffle between middle-order and top-order positions has also failed to yield results.

Similarly, Virat Kohli’s inconsistency remains a concern. Despite a century in the opening Test in Perth, Kohli has been unable to replicate the performance, scoring just 7, 11, 3, 36, and 5 in subsequent innings. His repeated struggles outside the off-stump have added to India’s woes, even as he showed glimpses of his form in the Boxing Day Test.

“Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are totally out of form. When your key players are not scoring, it becomes difficult to win matches,” Khanna told IANS. “Australia played better cricket and used conditions to their advantage. Meanwhile, our younger players like (Nitish Kumar) Reddy and (Yashasvi) Jaiswal are stepping up, and it’s time to trust them more.”

A call for bold decisions

Khanna urged the selectors and team management to have honest discussions with the senior players about their form and future. “You need the guts to have a one-to-one conversation with Rohit and Virat, asking them to make way for others. Senior players are expected to lead with performances, but they have been consistently falling short. Sometimes, tough decisions are needed to get the desired results,” he added.

The former cricketer also hinted that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) might allow the players to announce their decisions regarding retirement, but he stressed that “the writing is on the wall” for both stars.

A year of decline

Khanna pointed out that 2024 has been a particularly poor year for both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Test cricket, with both averaging under 25. Despite their legendary status, their performances over the last 40-45 innings have not met expectations, raising concerns about their future in the longest format of the game.

“A lot of focus is often placed on players like Rishabh Pant for their aggressive style, but the real issue is the inconsistency of senior batters like Rohit and Kohli,” he remarked.

Series finale at Sydney

With Australia leading the five-match series 2-1, the final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground starting on January 3 will be pivotal. The pressure remains high on India’s senior players to deliver, but Khanna’s remarks underline growing impatience among cricketing circles.

As the debate over their form intensifies, the Sydney Test could potentially mark a turning point in the careers of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Whether they silence their critics or pave the way for the next generation remains to be seen.

The comment on dropping senior stars after the Boxing Day debacle raises a valid point, given the ongoing struggles of key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both have been out of form, with low scores in recent matches, and their inability to contribute consistently has been a concern for Team India. 

While it’s crucial to recognize their past achievements and leadership roles, the current form of these players impacts the team’s performance. The question of whether it’s legitimate to bench them stems from the need for a fresh approach and the desire for younger players to step up. 

However, making such a bold call requires careful consideration of the long-term strategy for the team. It’s not just about the present match but also about building a strong squad for future challenges, making this comment a legitimate topic for discussion.

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is reportedly preparing to announce his retirement from Test cricket following the conclusion of the ongoing five-match series against Australia. According to a report by Times of India, sources close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the selectors suggest that Sharma’s decision is final, with no indications of a change in course.

While the exact timing of the announcement remains unclear, it is expected to come after the final Test match in Sydney, marking the end of a significant chapter in Rohit Sharma’s illustrious career. However, if India secures a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, there is a possibility that Sharma could approach the selectors to reconsider his decision, attempting to extend his tenure in the longer format.

Rohit Sharma’s recent performances have sparked speculation about his future in Test cricket. During the fourth Test, following a heavy defeat to Australia, Sharma admitted to being “disturbed” by his form and the team’s collective struggles. With just 31 runs in six innings across three Tests, his batting has come under intense scrutiny, with many questioning his ability to continue at the highest level.

In his post-match comments, the 36-year-old captain expressed frustration over his lack of form and the personal challenges he was facing. “There are a lot of things I am trying to do, but they’re just not falling into place the way I would want them to,” he revealed. “It is disturbing without a doubt. When you come here and try to do what you’re supposed to and things don’t fall into place, it is disappointing.”

Despite the mounting pressure and the growing calls for his retirement, Rohit Sharma is determined not to exit without putting up a fight. “As a captain, yes, it’s disappointing when the results don’t go our way,” he said, acknowledging the frustration. However, he emphasized that the focus should remain in the future, rather than dwelling on past performances.

As speculation continues to swirl around his retirement, all eyes will be on Sharma’s final appearance in the ongoing Test series. Will he walk away after the series or could there be a final twist to his career? Only time will tell.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to Koneru Humpy on her remarkable achievement of winning the 2024 FIDE Women’s World Rapid Championship for a second time, highlighting her as ‘the only Indian to accomplish this extraordinary feat.’

“Congratulations to Koneru Humpy on winning the 2024 FIDE Women’s World Rapid Championship! Her determination and brilliance continue to motivate millions,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

“This victory holds historical significance as it marks her second world rapid championship title, making her the only Indian to achieve such a distinction,” he stated.

Koneru Humpy, India’s top-rated female chess player, finished the tournament with an impressive score of 8.5/11. She previously claimed her first gold medal in the 2019 championship held in Moscow.

In the lead-up to the final round, Koneru was among seven players tied at the top. However, she distinguished herself by being the only player to secure a victory in that round. Competing with the black pieces, she skillfully defeated Indonesia’s International Master Irine Kharisma Sukandar in a challenging endgame, thereby clinching the title.

“It isn’t easy to become a world champion at the age of 37. It’s particularly challenging to maintain motivation and sharpness as one ages. I’m thrilled to have succeeded,” Koneru remarked after her victory.

“I am overjoyed to have won for a second time. Honestly, I didn’t expect to win because I lost my first game, and I never envisioned finishing the tournament as the champion. This victory is truly special. When I faced adversity, it motivated me to fight and continue improving my chess skills,” she added.

Koneru’s victory further enhances the impressive success story of Indian chess in 2024, which also saw India winning gold in both the Open and Women’s sections of the Chess Olympiad this summer, along with D Gukesh capturing the title of World Champion in classical chess.

“It’s an exciting time for India – we have Gukesh as the World Champion and now I have secured my second world title in the Rapid event,” Koneru noted.

With her score of 8.5 points, Koneru claimed first place, finishing half a point ahead of six players tied for second: Ju Wenjun, Kateryna Lagno, Tan Zhongyi, Harika Dronavalli, Alexandra Kosteniuk, and Afruza Khamdamova.

Her accomplishment rounds off an extraordinary year for Indian chess, following D Gukesh’s recent victory over China’s Ding Liren to win the classical format World Championship in Singapore.