Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has questioned whether Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma would return to their form in the ODI series against England as well. He shared his wishlist on how the duo should approach their batting in the three ODIs before the 2025 Champions Trophy as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “Rohit and Kohli are returning to their favorite format. Will their recent struggles with the bat disappear suddenly? Will it be easy? I don’t believe it will be very easy. Form is more in the mind than with the bat. Their minds look disturbed. Both look troubled. My wishlist for Rohit is that the ODI cricket he has played in the last two years or so, where he has scored destructive 40s or 50s – not good enough. You shouldn’t do that here. You need to give yourself time here. You can only end your bad phase when you spend time on the ground, even if it looks ugly.”
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“Sometimes you are struggling but you still play 70 balls. Since it’s Rohit Sharma, he will score 90 runs if he plays 70 balls. I am saying it’s fine even if he scores 58 or 62 off 70 balls because if he plays 70 balls, Rohit Sharma will suddenly be back in the groove. It won’t happen without playing 70 balls. So my wishlist for Rohit Sharma is to play steadily,” Chopra further added.
In the same video, Aakash Chopra also added that England will likely target Virat Kohli outside the off-stump as well.
“Everyone has seen that Virat Kohli needs to be bowled outside the off-stump. (Himanshu) Sangwan said even his bus driver told him. Here also, the opposing team have a lot of fast bowlers who will bowl outside-off. They will keep one or two slips as well, and a wicket might also fall at the start. You have to burn in the fire. The tongs’ mouth has to burn for a roti to be prepared. It’s exactly the same. So I am expecting the same from him as well. Go towards your set template. Keep your ego aside. You need to admit that you are struggling for form and that form won’t return unless you play 80 balls on the ground. I have the same wishlist for both,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
