Adelaide: Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has expressed confidence that Indian stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will rebound strongly in the second ODI against Australia in Adelaide after their disappointing performances in Perth. Gavaskar said it would be no surprise if both senior batters deliver big scores, insisting that it is only a matter of time and practice before they regain their rhythm.

Kohli and Rohit returned to international cricket after a seven-month break but struggled on Perth’s challenging pitch, scoring 0 and 8 respectively. Australia capitalised on India’s batting collapse to secure a comfortable seven-wicket win, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Gavaskar defends Kohli and Rohit

Gavaskar defended the pair, noting that adjusting to Perth’s bouncy surface after a long hiatus was always going to be difficult. “They were playing on probably the bounciest pitch in Australia. It wasn’t going to be easy, especially for players who haven’t played international cricket for a couple of months. It was challenging even for Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, who play regularly,” he said, as quoted by India Today.

The former India captain remained optimistic about the team’s prospects, highlighting that time spent in the middle and at the nets will help Kohli and Rohit quickly rediscover their touch. “India are still a very, very good team. Don’t be surprised if Rohit and Kohli score big in the next two games. The more they play, the more time they spend in the nets, the quicker they’ll find their rhythm. Once they’re back among the runs, India’s total will be 300, or 300-plus,” Gavaskar added.

Adelaide Oval offers ideal conditions

The second ODI in Adelaide offers promising conditions for a turnaround, especially for Kohli, who has an exceptional record at the venue. In four ODIs at the Adelaide Oval, Kohli has scored 244 runs at an average of 61, including two centuries. His Test record at the same ground is even more impressive, with 537 runs in five matches at an average of 53.70, including three hundreds.

Gavaskar’s confidence in the senior batters comes as a reassurance to fans after India’s underwhelming start to the series. With Adelaide’s conditions favouring stroke play and Kohli’s familiarity with the ground, the upcoming match could provide the perfect platform for India’s batting stars to reassert themselves.

Conclusion

While India’s first ODI performance in Perth was disappointing, Gavaskar believes the experience will serve as a stepping stone for Kohli and Rohit to regain form. With favourable conditions in Adelaide and time spent in the nets, the duo is expected to contribute significantly, potentially steering India to a commanding total and keeping the series alive.