New Delhi: “They should take rest for some time and play more domestic matches,” said die-hard cricket fan Lijit Mohan, voicing the concerns of many, following India’s surprising Test series loss to New Zealand.
New Zealand’s emphatic 113-run victory in Pune on October 26 not only shattered India’s 12-year unbeaten home Test record but also exposed inconsistencies in India’s batting lineup, especially with senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Mohan, like many fans, in a conversation with The New Indian suggested that Kohli and Sharma take a break to regain their form, citing recent performances as “pathetic.” He also recommended that emerging players, such as Suryavamshi, be given opportunities to refresh and strengthen Team India.
Adding to the discussion, Cricket enthusiast Dr. Sanjay Kumar told The New Indian that both Kohli and Sharma seem to be on a downward trajectory. “Virat needs to get his focus back. He’s lost it somehow,” Dr. Kumar remarked, emphasizing the need for a mental reset to allow Kohli to reach his full potential. He sees Kohli as having four to five years left, provided he can regroup, but believes Rohit may have only one to two years remaining at best.
Dr. Kumar also voiced his surprise at recent selection choices, arguing for younger talent like Yashasvi Jaiswal to be consistently included across all formats. “It’s disappointing that Jaiswal was dropped from the T20 squad,” he commented, while also taking a critical stance on the current head coach of the Indian cricket team in all formats, Gautam Gambhir’s involvement in decision-making, suggesting he “cut down on his ego” for the benefit of the team’s development.
A more balanced perspective came from an anonymous fan, who acknowledged Kohli and Sharma’s contributions to Indian cricket as “some of the greatest players India has produced” but also supported nurturing young players like Nitish Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Mayank Agarwal for Test roles.
With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia approaching, fans and analysts worry that Australia’s powerful bowling lineup—featuring Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon—may further expose the team’s vulnerabilities. For India, the recent defeat signals a need to balance experience with emerging talent to meet the demands of the upcoming series.