'Virat Was Averaging 30...': Manjrekar Says India Have Moved On From Kohli-Rohit
Sanjay Manjrekar has noted Rohit Sharma's average of 10 in recent Tests and Virat Kohli's average of 30 over five years, suggesting their retirements weren't a big loss for India.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has said that Rohit Sharma was averaging a dismal 10 in the last two Test series that he played, while ace batter Virat Kohli was averaging 30 in the last five years and although they weren't easy to replace, their retirements haven't been a huge loss to India.
In the absence of Rohit and Kohli, Test skipper Shubman Gill led India's batting charge twice, first in the Birmingham victory over England, then in the Manchester draw that kept the series alive.
Former England batter Jonathan Trott admitted that had the scenario been reversed, England wouldn't have managed to pull off the same.
'If you're taking the Joe Root out of the side or taking two experienced players like India have had to retire recently, it would be a very, very different scenario. I think India have given a great account of themselves," Trott said while speaking on Sony Sports.
'They've kept the series alive and it's certainly interesting to see the mood in the bus on the England bus when it goes down to London compared to the Indian bus on the way down to London," Trott added.
The anchor pointed out that the situation was different for India, leading to Manjrekar highlighting Rohit-Kohli's diminishing returns.
'Rohit Sharma was averaging 10 in the last two series that he played and Virat Kohli was averaging 30 in the last five years. So they were perhaps not easy to replace, but it wasn't like it was a huge loss," Manjrekar said.
'It was a loss of two very senior players, but not a loss of contribution, because they weren't contributing as much," Manjrekar added.
Having conceded a 311-run lead and lost their openers for ducks in the second innings, India displayed resolve to get a favourable result because of the efforts of Gill (103 off 238), KL Rahul (90 off 230), Jadeja (107 not out off 185) and Washington (101 not out off 206).
With inspirational England captain Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer removing a well-set Gill and Rahul in the morning, England sensed a series-sealing win against India, but Jadeja and Washington hung in there before milking the bowlers towards the end of the day.
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