Kohli, Rohit’s Comeback Hopes High for ODI Series

Kohli and Rohit’s ODI Comeback Hopes

Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar believes that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both struggling recently, could see a resurgence in the upcoming ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy. Their past successes in One Day Internationals and a change in format could be just what they need to regain their [[form]]. Both players have faced criticism after underwhelming performances in the Test series against New Zealand and Australia. Kohli, in particular, struggled against balls delivered outside off-stump in Australia, scoring a mere 31 runs in five innings and even dropping himself from the final Test.

Bangar, a renowned cricket expert, highlighted their legendary status in ODI cricket, stating that they are automatic choices among all-time greats. He is optimistic about their abilities to bounce back. He noted that how Rohit Sharma approaches his innings will be particularly interesting given his recent low scores. He suggested that we need to wait and see a couple of innings to fully assess their approaches in this new format. This assessment will need to cover both the ODI series and the Champions Trophy for a clear picture of their performance.

Kohli’s Special Net Session

Ahead of his Ranji Trophy return, Kohli sought out Bangar for a special net session focusing on playing rising deliveries on the backfoot. Bangar used a unique setup, including a portable cement slab to simulate the bounce of specific deliveries. However, the details of this session remain undisclosed.

Wicket-Keeping Choice: Rahul Favored Over Pant

Bangar expressed his support for KL Rahul as the team’s wicket-keeper, ahead of Rishabh Pant. He praised Rahul’s performance in the 2023 World Cup, highlighting his excellent catching and overall keeping skills. While acknowledging Pant’s talent, Bangar believes that Rahul’s consistent performance as both a batsman and wicket-keeper makes him the better choice for upcoming matches.

Bumrah’s Absence: A Bowling Challenge

The absence of lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah due to injury presents a significant challenge for India. Bangar noted that the middle overs will be crucial in Bumrah’s absence. Spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy will likely play a more significant role in this phase. He emphasized that Bumrah’s absence will be difficult to replace, making the other bowlers vital in managing the pressure during the crucial middle overs.

Siraj’s Exclusion: A Surprise

Bangar expressed surprise at Mohammed Siraj’s omission from the ODI squad, especially given Bumrah’s injury concerns. He highlighted Siraj’s strong performance in the middle overs and effectiveness in breaking partnerships. He reminded everyone of Siraj’s impactful performance during the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka, demonstrating his ability as a top-quality bowler irrespective of the phase of play. Bangar believes that a quality player remains valuable irrespective of their role in a particular stage of the game.

Looking Ahead

The upcoming ODI series and Champions Trophy offer a crucial test for Kohli and Rohit. Their performance will be closely watched, and Bangar’s insights suggest the change in format and their previous successes could be pivotal in their comeback. The team’s batting lineup and bowling strategy will play a vital role in their success.

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