Sunil Gavaskar said India’s top order struggles in Perth were expected and predicted a strong comeback in the upcoming matches.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s return to ODIs hit a speed bump at the Optus Stadium in Perth, but Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar urged calm. The former great said the bounce at Optus exaggerated rust for seniors returning after months out and that the correction is straightforward.
His forecast was blunt: Adelaide will look and feel different. If India’s top order adjusts contact points early, a 300-plus total is back on the table, with Rohit and Kohli central to the shift.
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Speaking exclusively to India Today after Australia went 1-0 up, Gavaskar put the opener in context. “They were playing on probably the bounciest pitch in Australia. It wasn’t going to be easy, especially for players who haven’t played international cricket for a couple of months. It was challenging for Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, who usually play international cricket quite regularly,” he said.
The remedy, per Gavaskar, is process over panic. “India are still a very, very good team. They have won the Champions Trophy. Don’t be surprised if Rohit and Kohli score big in the next two games. They are coming back after a few months away from international cricket. The more they play, the more they spend time in the nets, the more throwdowns they get, maybe even from the reserve bowlers bowling at them from 20 years instead of 22, the quicker they will find their rhythm. Once they are back among the runs, India’s total will be 300, 300-plus,” he added.
Perth’s steep bounce magnifies the fourth stump danger and induces false shots, especially for players returning after a break. Gavaskar’s suggestion of a 20-year throwdown is a classic speed drill in cricket, forcing the batter to read the length fast. For Kohli and Rohit, who are already masters of the game, these tweaks can well guarantee a quick return to form.
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