"No comparison between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli" - Former India batter makes stunning claim on duo's future after BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has weighed in on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's struggles in the ongoing Test series against Australia. The cricketer-turned-commentator suggested that Rohit's time in the Test arena is almost up but Kohli deserves a longer rope, given he is better in the format than the skipper.

The veteran duo's returns Down Under have been at the heart of Team India's struggles, resulting in them being 2-1 down in the series after the Boxing Day Test. While Rohit is yet to score a half-century in the series, Kohli's only notable contribution has been an unbeaten ton that came in the opening Test in Perth.

Speaking on Star Sports, the 59-year-old questioned the role of the batting coach, suggesting that they have failed to address Kohli's weaknesses. He said:

"I must say there is no comparison between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as Test batters. Virat Kohli is right up there. He's a great Test batter and Rohit Sharma is a good Test batter. Rohit's white-ball batting great. So Virat Kohli obviously deserves a longer rope.

"It's not so much about Virat Kohli. I want to know what the batting coach of India is doing. We can't solve the obvious problem of such a fine player. Enough has been said about Virat Kohli, we just have to leave him alone."

The former national team's captain has been dismissed in the same manner in all four Tests, edging behind the stumps by fiddling balls outside off-stump.

"It's not really up to Rohit Sharma" - Sanjay Manjrekar on Indian skipper's future in the side

Sanjay Manjrekar. (Image Credits: Getty)

Manjrekar added that the selectors must make a decision sooner rather than later on Rohit's future, adding:

"It's not really up to Rohit Sharma. If you look at how the protocol and the hierarchy of team selection is, the chairman of the selectors, he has the decision to make.

"He has the power to do what's best for Indian cricket, so it's not so much about Rohit Sharma himself, you know, deciding what should be the future. The chairman of the selectors has that power. That's with Rohit and he does look down in the doldrums. Virat Kohli is a different issue altogether."

The fifth and final Test between India and Australia will begin on January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.