Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed confidence in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rediscovering their form in the upcoming Champions Trophy, urging fans not to equate their recent Test struggles with their white-ball performances.
“They will start scoring runs in white-ball cricket—there’s no doubt about that. Test cricket is a different challenge altogether, requiring specific adjustments. Whether it’s Virat dealing with deliveries outside the off-stump or Rohit finding his rhythm, ODIs are their strongest format, and they’ll make a strong comeback,” Pathan stated.
Both Rohit and Kohli have endured a difficult phase in red-ball cricket. India recently lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia for the first time in a decade, with both batters failing to deliver impactful performances. Rohit played only three Tests on the tour, averaging a disappointing 6.20, while Kohli, despite scoring an unbeaten century in Perth, managed an overall average of just 23.75.
Prior to that, India suffered a 3-0 Test series defeat in New Zealand, marking another low point. Rohit scored just 91 runs across six innings at an average of 15.16, while Kohli fared marginally better with 93 runs at an average of 15.50.
Last week, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar addressed concerns over the duo’s form, stating that the team management would assess their future after the Champions Trophy.
While Rohit dismissed retirement speculations after being left out of the Sydney Test during the Border-Gavaskar series, Kohli’s position in the squad has also come under scrutiny. On the potential transition phase, Agarkar remarked, “The Champions Trophy is a month away. These players have been exceptional in one-day cricket. Once the tournament concludes, we’ll have more time to evaluate not just individual performances but also the team’s direction. Right now, the focus is on ODIs and the Champions Trophy.”