Fri Nov 01 12:40:22 UTC 2024: ## India’s Batting Woes: Age Factor Casts Shadow on Kohli, Sharma Ahead of Australia Series

**MUMBAI, INDIA** – Concerns are rising about the form of India’s star batters, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, as they head into the crucial five-match Test series against Australia, starting November 22nd. Legendary Australian cricketer Ian Chappell has highlighted the age factor as a potential concern for the duo, who have been struggling for runs in recent times.

Kohli, with just one half-century in ten innings this year, averages a paltry 27.22, while Rohit has also faltered, managing only one half-century in eight innings. Chappell, in a discussion on World Wide Sports, expressed concern about the duo’s age, suggesting that their decline might be starting.

“India have got some batting problems. [Yashasvi] Jaiswal is a very good-looking young player; left hand opener. I think [Shubman] Gill can really play, but then you’ve got Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are both ageing. And you get to that point where people start talking about it and maybe it starts to creep in the head a little bit ‘Are we getting to that age where it all starts to go downhill?’ They are both at that age,” said Chappell.

Former Australian captain Mark Taylor echoed Chappell’s concerns, emphasizing the pressure this form slump has placed on India’s younger players.

“They’ve moved on from Pujara and Rahane, and they’ve left Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, their two best players. But also, they’ve had a bit of rocky period. They are not making the runs you expect a senior player to make. And that has put pressure on their young guys and the lower order,” said Taylor.

The upcoming third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai, starting November 1st, presents a crucial opportunity for Kohli and Rohit to regain their form before the highly anticipated Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. India will be hoping that their two most experienced batsmen can find their rhythm and lead the team to victory in the upcoming series.

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