Australia’s former cricket captain Mark Taylor has raised concerns about India’s ongoing transition in Test cricket, highlighting that the recent performances of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli haven’t provided the expected stability for the team. With the iconic Border-Gavaskar Trophy series approaching, India faces heightened pressure due to the inconsistent form of their star batsmen. This comes at a critical moment as the team moves on from seasoned players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane and integrates rising stars such as Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Taylor pointed out that the lack of substantial scores from Sharma and Kohli over the past year has increased the burden on younger players. “India’s best players need to lead the scoreboard, but this hasn’t been the case in the last 12-18 months,” Taylor commented, stressing that Sharma and Kohli’s recent contributions have fallen short of expectations. In 2024, Gill and Jaiswal have outshined Sharma’s 588 runs with their 1,119 and 806 runs, respectively. Middle-order batsmen Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan have also eclipsed Kohli’s low average of 22.72, which has compounded concerns over India’s batting depth.
With India and Australia leading the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, this Border-Gavaskar series will play a crucial role in determining which teams advance to the final. India’s disappointing 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand further amplifies the pressure, making the upcoming matches pivotal for their standings in the WTC. The stage is set for a tense series as India aims to regain form and prove its resilience against a formidable Australian side.
