Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 7: Former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh has come out in strong support of under-fire senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma following India’s 1-3 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). This defeat marks India’s first loss in the prestigious series in 10 years, raising questions about the form and future of the two-star players.
For the first time in a decade, India lost the BGT, and with that, the team now faces a second successive series loss in test cricket. Kohli and Rohit, both of whom struggled throughout the series, have come under intense scrutiny for their lack of form, but Yuvraj Singh has urged critics to remember their past achievements and extend patience during this tough phase.
Kohli and Rohit's performance under the scanner
Virat Kohli, despite a century in the second innings of the first test in Perth, finished the series with a meager 190 runs across five matches. His inconsistency has been a point of concern for many.
Rohit Sharma was even more disappointing, managing just 31 runs in five innings, with many questioning his place in the squad for upcoming test matches.
Both players, who have been instrumental in India’s cricketing successes over the years, faced growing criticism from fans and experts for their failures in the series.
Yuvraj's strong stand for Kohli and Rohit
Yuvraj Singh, however, believes it is unfair to single out Kohli and Rohit for the team’s loss, given their past performances. Speaking to PTI, Yuvraj stressed that the senior duo should be judged on their overall contributions to Indian cricket rather than one underwhelming series.
“We are talking about our greats, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and saying very bad things about them. People forget what they have achieved in the past. They are among the greatest cricketers of this time,” said Yuvraj.
“Okay, they lost, they didn’t play good cricket. But they are hurting more than us. It’s not fair to target them alone after a loss,” he added.
Rohit's selfless leadership praised
Yuvraj also lauded Rohit Sharma for his selfless decision to drop himself from the playing XI for the fifth and final test in Sydney. Despite struggling with his own form, Rohit placed the team’s interests above his own—a gesture Yuvraj described as an example of true leadership.
“I think it is a big thing. I’ve never seen a captain step aside when his form isn’t good. Rohit Sharma’s decision to keep the team ahead of himself speaks volumes about his character,” Yuvraj remarked.
Confidence in Indian cricket’s leadership
Looking ahead, Yuvraj expressed his confidence in the leadership of Gautam Gambhir (coach), Ajit Agarkar (selector), and senior players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah, who he believes will steer Indian cricket towards a positive future.
“They are the best minds in cricket right now. They have to decide what’s next for Indian cricket,” Yuvraj added.
Conclusion
The loss of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has left Indian cricket fans disheartened, but Yuvraj Singh’s comments remind everyone of the significant contributions that Kohli and Rohit have made to Indian cricket over the years. The team’s management now has the task of regrouping and planning for the future, and Yuvraj’s call for patience and perspective is a timely reminder as the team moves forward.
As India looks to bounce back, the cricketing world will be keenly watching how they respond to this setback and how the senior players like Kohli and Rohit regain their form.