"If it's their last time here in Australia, I think it will be retirement"- Michael Clarke on Kohli and Rohit's Test future after 2024-25 BGT

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke feels the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's last tour down under only if they retire before the next trip and because of poor form. The legendary duo have been in woeful form in Tests recently, sparking discussions about their future in the longest format.

In India's shocking 0-3 home series defeat to New Zealand, Kohli and Rohit averaged under 16 and combined to score only two half-centuries in 12 innings.

Speaking on the Around the Wicket podcast, Clarke said as quoted by Hindustan Times:

"If it's their last time here in Australia, I think it will be retirement. They won't be dropped, but it the same breath, I think every cricketer knows that if you're not making runs or taking wickets, there will be conversations around that kind of a thing."

He added:

"Being the captain of the team, you get a slack for that, and if you're the world's best batter for the last 10 years – maybe longer – across formats, I think Virat may get a bit more slack than somebody else."

Clarke was hopeful of the two stalwarts returning to form in the Australia series to maintain the excitement factor of the format.

"I hope for this series' sake, Test cricket's sakes, they both come out, get back to their best form and score plenty of runs for India, but also Test cricket. We want to see the Australian attack which is a good one, take on the top-order batting of India which is pretty strong in itself," he stated.

Kohli and Rohit's struggles played a massive role in India's dismal batting displays against the Blackcaps, with the side failing to cross even 300 in five out of the six innings.

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"My brain doesn't say they're going to come here and fail" - Michael Clarke

CRICKET: DEC 17 Australia v India - First Test - Source: Getty

Michael Clarke believes the conditions in Australia will suit Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and backed the duo to return to form in the five-Test series down under.

Kohli has historically thrived in the red-ball format in Australia, scoring over 1,300 runs at an average of 54.08 in 13 outings. However, Rohit has found the going tough down under, averaging a sub-par 31.38 in seven Tests.

"My brain doesn't say they're going to come here and fail. They will be tough ton get out and I think the Australian bowlers will need to find a way to dismiss them both early in the innings as often as they possibly can. I think they are probably coming into Australian conditions where they both like playing. Rohit Sharma plays fast bowling as good as anyone in that team," said Clarke.

He concluded:

"Certainly, short-pitch bowling – he'll take the Aussie on with that hook shot and he plays it up over third man. And Virat is class. His record his phenomenal. He has scored six hundreds in 13 Tests, averages over 50 in Australian conditions."

The 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy is less than 10 days away with the first Test to be played in Perth, starting November 22.