“The silliest thing you can do is to write off champion players” – Michael Hussey backs Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to bounce back in 2024-25 BGT

Former Australian batter Michael Hussey has backed the veteran duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to bounce back in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar trophy against Australia. Hussey reckons Australia will make a mistake if they write off players like Rohit and Virat.

The pair could not deliver in the home Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand and they are under the pump.

Rohit scored 91 runs in three Test matches against the Kiwis at an average of 15.17 whereas Virat Kohli could only score 93 runs in three Test matches at an average of 15.50.

Furthermore, while Rohit could only manage 42 runs in two Test matches at an average of 10.50 against Bangladesh, Kohli scored 99 runs in the same series at an average of 33. 

However, Kohli has scored 2042 runs in 25 Test matches against Australia at an average of 47.48, including eight centuries. Kohli has even better numbers while playing in Australia as he has scored 1352 runs in 13 Test matches at an impressive average of 54.08, including six centuries.

On the other hand, Rohit Sharma has scored 708 runs in seven Test matches against Australia at an average of 33.71.

Hussey told Fox Cricket, “We will find out in the first Test match where they are at, mentally and from a skill perspective as well. They will be hurt by this, India. They have got a lot of crowd pullers and quality. We just heard from Gambhir talking about Rohit and Kohli not making runs. The silliest thing you can do is to write off champion players.”

“We have seen it so many times in the past – they come under criticism, but they come out and perform really well. So I’m backing them to perform well in Australia. They are proud Indians and proud Test players. But I still feel Australia will start favorites.”

The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.