Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that the respective futures of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are not contingent on their performances in the upcoming ODI series against Australia. He emphasized that both players have had illustrious careers, and their legacies cannot be defined by just three games of the upcoming tour, starting October 19.
Notably, India are set to take on Australia in a three-match ODI series, beginning in Perth on Sunday. Rohit and Kohli have both been included in the
15-member Indian squad named for the series. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra was asked to share his views on the veterans’ future in case they fail to deliver in the series against the Aussies.
"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.
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.
