“Their 50% contribution would have been enough” - Former pacer’s blunt take on Indian seniors in BGT 2024-25

Former Indian pacer Balwinder Sandhu slammed senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for their dismal showing in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Australia. India suffered a 1-3 series defeat in the five-match affair, conceding the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since 2014/15.

Skipper Rohit Sharma endured a series to forget, scoring only 31 runs at an average of 6.20 in the three matches he played. Kohli's numbers were enhanced by an unbeaten century in the series opener in Perth - India's lone win of the tour. Yet, he finished with under 200 runs at an average of 23.75 in nine innings.

Talking about the duo's unfathomable struggles, Sandhu told The Times of India:

"There were a lot of expectations from these two senior players - Rohit and Virat. Because they have played in these conditions a lot of times and know everything how to play in Australia, it was a disappointing performance by them. Their 50 percent contribution would have been enough to take India to win."

He added:

"I agree about inexperienced players who were getting out cheaply but I don't understand why it happened with the experienced players. We could have done better if Virat and Rohit would have performed. Everyone needed to lift their game up. You are playing for India."

The duo was coming off another sub-par showing in the home series against New Zealand before the tour Down Under. Rohit and Kohli each averaged under 16 with only two half-centuries between them in 12 combined innings.

"If Bumrah was even 1 percent fit, he would have definitely bowled" - Balwinder Sandhu

BORDER GAVASKAR TROPHY TEST: JAN 05 fifth NRMA Insurance Test - Source: Getty

Balwinder Sandhu felt Jasprit Bumrah must have been in significant pain during the final Test at Sydney, resulting in him not taking part in India's second innings with the ball.

The 31-year-old bowled only 10 overs in the first innings before walking off the field with an injury. While he batted in India's second innings, a back spasm prevented Bumrah from bowling during Australia's run-chase of 162, which they comfortably completed in 27 overs with six wickets in hand.

"If Bumrah was even 1 percent fit, he would have definitely bowled. I could see it on his face when he was in the dugout. He’s a typical khadoos cricketer, and he can get under any batter’s skin. I’m sure he must have been in significant pain; otherwise, he would have come out to bowl. But the Australians would have had a tough time if he was there. We could have won the match," said Sandhu.

Despite the 1-3 loss and Bumrah's inability to bowl much in the series finale, he finished as the Player of the Series for his incredible numbers of 32 wickets at a average of 13.06.