New Delhi: In a recent interview, former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke shared his insights on the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, expressing his concerns should star players from India, particularly Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, fail to deliver during the tournament, retirement from the format could be on the table.
With the first Test scheduled to be held at Perth starting from November 22, the tournament holds particular significance as it marks the return of two Indian veterans to the BGT series following a challenging home season against Bangladesh and New Zealand.
Clarke, speaking in an episode of ESPN's Around the Wicket podcast, indicated, "Given their status as seasoned veterans and with the weight of Australia's team on their shoulders, retirement could be an option for them if they do not exhibit their typical form. The absence of their contribution might spark discussions about their legacy in the sport."
"As a captain, there is a certain leniency granted, especially if one has been consistently delivering at the highest level over several years. This possibility may offer Virat Kohli a somewhat lenient treatment compared to others," he added.
He also voiced his hopes for the series to be a testament to the resurgence of Test cricket, advocating for both teams to showcase their best forms and contribute significantly to India's test match success, emphasizing the importance of Australia's attack and a strong performance from India's batsmen against the opposition.
Interestingly, Kohli's recent statistics have not been encouraging. His struggles against spin bowling have been noted, averaging only 192 runs in 10 innings across five Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand at home, with a mediocre average of 21.33. His best performances during this period were a score of 50 and an innings score of 70.
For the 2023 season, Kohli has only managed to score 250 runs in 12 Test innings across six matches, with a less-than-desirable average of 22.72. However, he has demonstrated better form in tours to the West Indies and South Africa, scoring 561 runs in the current tournament cycle 2023-25, including a century, three fifties, and a top score of 121 across nine Tests and 16 innings, averaging a promising 37.40.
Similarly, Rohit's recent figures are also showing a lack of form, averaging at 13.30 across five Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand. His performances in the home season saw scores of 6, 5, 23, 8, 2, 52, 0, 8, 18, and 11.
In the year 2023, Rohit has achieved a remarkable milestone, managing 588 runs across 11 Tests and 21 innings, maintaining an average of 29.40. His notable performances include two centuries and two fifties, with a standout score of 131. Within the context of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, Rohit has accumulated 833 runs across 14 Tests, boasting an average of 33.32. His impressive tally includes three centuries and four fifties, with his highest score being 131.
The eagerly awaited Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia is set to commence on November 22, with the inaugural Test scheduled at Perth. The series will feature the day-night format in the second Test, which will be held at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The attention of the fans will then shift to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test from December 14 to 18.
The traditional Boxing Day Test, which is scheduled from December 26 to 30 at Melbourne's iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, will signify the conclusion of the series' penultimate stage.
The fifth and final Test is scheduled to take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, offering a thrilling conclusion to a highly anticipated series.A
