VIRAT KOHLI, ROHIT SHARMA: ARE THEY STILL THE BEST? IT'S TIME FOR A RETHINK

The time has come. You probably know their names. You probably also know the countless number of games they have won for their country at the back of their audacious skills with the bat. But now, as seen in recent times, you also know...

- DEVDEEP TYAGI

It can’t be overturned or denied. There comes a time in the life of an athlete when he has to take a good hard look at himself so as to peep within for a good reason. And it’s to assess whether he’s still up there to face the demanding challenges that a cricketer must tackle at the highest possible level in the international game.

This is where two of India’s finest and most talented batters across formats have to question themselves.

The time has come. You probably know their names. You probably also know the countless number of games they have won for their country at the back of their audacious skills with the bat. But now, as seen in recent times, you also know that their recurring failures with the bat have, in no way whatsoever, put their team in harm’s way. So much so that Team India had fostered, over a little decade, an unbeatable record at the Test match level, having not conceded a series defeat on home soil for twelve long years, just lost one to New Zealand. This was a team without Kane Williamson. This was a team that no longer had Kyle Jamieson or Trent Boult. And yet, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s disappointing results with the bat continued while New Zealand continued to pile on misery on India in India.

But before one elaborates further, it is only relevant to cast an eye on what Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have managed thus far, with two Tests done and the series’ outcome with just a game to play at Mumbai, the captain’s home turf.