3 most brutal reactions to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's failures in BGT 2024-25 ft. Simon Katich

Senior Indian cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma received severe criticism for their poor performances in the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. Both batters struggled to make a major impact with the bat, and their failure was among the biggest reasons for India's defeat in the series.

Rohit Sharma scored just 31 runs in three Tests and five innings. His average of 6.20 was extremely poor, and his best score was just 10. Virat Kohli also did not deliver to his full potential.

While he did score an unbeaten hundred in the first Test in Perth, he failed to put up significant performances thereafter. He scored just 90 runs in the remaining four Tests. Virat Kohli aggregated 190 runs from nine innings at an average of 23.75.

Moreover, he was dismissed edging the outside off-stump delivery several times throughout the series. His inability to overcome his weakness also drew him major criticism. Both batters had a tour to forget, to say the least.

Amid all the criticism, reactions and opinions of some of the experts were extremely harsh. That said, let us take a look at the three most brutal reactions to their failures in the BGT 2024-25.

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3 most brutal reactions to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's failures in BGT 2024-25

#3 Surinder Khanna

After India lost the fourth Test in Melbourne, former cricketer Surinder Khanna took a brutal dig at Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Speaking to ANI, he questioned what both the batters had done in their last 40-45 innings. He stated that the selectors should drop both the batters if they did not sit out themselves.

"What are Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli doing? Remove attention from Rishabh Pant. He used to play like this only from day one. He will continue to make such mistakes. Tell me about Kohli and Rohit, what have they doing since the last 40-45 innings? They should automatically sit outside if selectors are not doing it then they should do it themselves. You and I can't throw them out. The kind of form they are in then even if you will bowl, they will get out," he had said.

He had added that both the senior batters were not scoring and that India should play youngsters in the fifth Test. He had also stated that if they (Rohit and Kohli) don't step back, the selectors must take a call themselves.

"Our batters Kohli and Rohit are out of form and selectors need to take a call. If they are not announcing...then selectors need to announce something. Going into the next test, play youngsters, we will win, like under Bumrah we won the first Test. We outclassed Australia. Since Rohit came back we have been struggling. I may sound harsh but you have to take harsh decisions if you want to win."

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#2 Irfan Pathan

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan also critiqued Virat and Rohit after their poor performances in the BGT 2024-25 series. Irfan questioned as to when Virat Kohli last played domestic cricket.

“We have to change the culture. We have to improve things for Indian cricket as a team. Tell me, when was the last time Virat Kohli played domestic cricket? When did it happen? Even the great Sachin Tendulkar played Ranji Trophy even when it wasn't required of him, only because he wanted to spend that much time-four or five days-on the pitch" Pathan said on Star Sports.

Further, he also questioned Kohli's place in the side. Stating his performance, Irfan said that any youngster would deliver the same numbers as Virat Kohli has in recent times.

"For the Indian team in 2024, in the first innings where you basically set up the match, Virat Kohli's average is 15. And if you consider his average over the last five years, it's not even 30. Does the Indian team deserve its senior player? Instead, give a youngster a chance. Tell him to get ready. He will also give an average of 25-30. This is about the team, not the individuals," he remarked.

Speaking about Rohit, Irfan opined that the Indian batter would not have been in the team if he was not the captain.

“If we talk about reality, considering how he is struggling with the bat, there might not have been a place for him in the playing XI. But because he is the captain, and you want to win the next match to draw the series, he stays in the team,” he had said ahead of the fifth Test.

He also added that Rohit opening again given his current form unsettled the team.

"What’s happening now is that he is the captain, so he is playing. If he were not the captain, he might not be playing right now. You would have had a set team. KL Rahul would have been playing at the top. (Yashasvi) Jaiswal would have been there. Shubman Gill would have been there."

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#1 Simon Katich

Former Australian international Simon Katich's reactions were probably the most brutal of them all. Talking about Virat Kohli (via Wisden), he said that the Indian batter 'tarnished' his reputation with his on-field behavior given his struggles with the bat.

"There's no doubt he (Kohli) has been a modern great of the game in all formats. But I think you have to question what sort of headspace he's been in on this tour to be doing that, making physical contact in Melbourne and then even the other unsavoury incident in Sydney with the sandpaper reference there with the pockets. I mean that in itself – there was no need for that. It's old news so in a way I think he's tarnished his reputation somewhat on this tour, on and off the field," he said.

He took a more brutal stance on Rohit. Pointing out Rohit's age, Katich said that Test cricket is not a place for 37-year-olds. With India set to tour England for their next Test series, he stated that it will be a tough one for Rohit, if at all he gets picked in the first place.

"Test cricket isn't a place for 37-year-olds at the top of the order. History suggests that, and only Rohit Sharma knows whether he has got the hunger to go on. Only he knows whether he has the hunger and drive to go again. England are on their way up. They have some good young quicks coming through. Atkinson and Carse are doing well. That will be a tough tour if he chooses to go on it and Indian selectors pick him, first and foremost. Those numbers are not for pretty reading."

Talking about Rohit's interview on Star Sports aftesitting out during the Sydney Test, Katich also said that he has a future in 'stand-up comedy' as his humor was good.