The Indian cricket team is currently preparing for the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia. India are currently without their regular captain Rohit Sharma, who will join the team ahead of the second Test against Australia in Adelaide.
As Perth’s Optus Stadium is set to host the much-awaited opening match of the five-match Test series starting November 22, former England captain Michael Vaughan has expressed his doubts over Rohit Sharma’s captaincy and the style of Gautam Gambhir’s training that could define his chances of registering a historic title. -Test series trick wins in Australia.
Michael Vaughan questions Rohit Sharma’s leadership and Gautam Gambhir’s coaching ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25
Vaughan has pointed out that the Indian cricket team has tasted success in its last two Test series in Australia, under the dominant captaincy of Virat Kohli and with the guidance of charismatic coach Ravi Shastri. However, the former England captain believes that replicating that success in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 will not be a walk in the park.
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Well, India have dominated Australia in their last two tours, but Michael Vaughan is not sure if current captain Rohit Sharma can emulate the leadership qualities that Kohli brought to Australia. Notably, Kohli and Shastri came together to push an aggressive, forward approach, which shook the Australian cricket team in their home conditions.
But with Ravi Shastri no longer in charge and Rohit’s captaincy in the spotlight, Vaughan wonders if the Indian cricket team can continue its dominance in Australia. The Englishman also emphasized the importance of playing against Australia with a bold and aggressive mentality.
Who will be Virat Kohli?
While Kohli was instrumental in leading India with aggression and confidence, Vaughan questioned whether Rohit could bring the same intensity to the team. With the passionate, no-holds-barred approach that has become India’s trademark in Australia, Vaughan noted that Shastri’s absence leaves a void and this time it would be a big challenge for them.
Michael Vaughan was quoted by the Indian Express: “The last two times they came here, they won and they had a charismatic coach (in Ravi). They have had a captain in Virat Kohli. I firmly believe that when you play against Australia, there is only one way to play against them and that is to stay up front, be aggressive and try to ruffle a few feathers. Ravi could do it. Virat could do it.
I want to know in this Indian camp, who is the Ravi Shastri? I don’t think there can be another one, but who will be the Virat Kohli? Can Rohit come and be a captain in the same sense? I think that will be the big challenge for India over the course of the next few weeks.”
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Michael Vaughan backs Virat Kohli to shine in Australia
Vaughan claimed that Virat Kohli’s form would be crucial to India’s chances of defending the trophy in Australia. He also noted that Kohli enjoyed great success on Australian soil so his form could be the deciding factor in the five-match Test series.
He signed off by saying: “I think Virat Kohli, when he comes here, when he lands in Australia, he lands and knows that this is a place where he has had great success. You could argue that which of the number fours has the biggest series could be the deciding factor of the entire series.”