Michael Clarke gave this statement regarding the future of Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma in international cricket.

pc: cricketaddictor

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has said that the Indian national cricket team looked tired during the Test series loss against New Zealand at home. Michael Clarke acknowledged New Zealand's performance, but said the defeat would be a warning to the Rohit Sharma-led side.

India suffered a humiliating 0-3 defeat in the Test series against New Zealand. Notably, this was India's first whitewash (three or more Tests). New Zealand became the first team to win a Test series on Indian soil in 12 years. India will next face Australia in the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).

This shows how tired India is – Michael Clarke
Michael Clarke said that India's recent poor performance was due to “mental fatigue”. He said that India could not perform at its best in terms of shot selection and bowling decisions. Clarke also recalled that captain Rohit Sharma had admitted that he was not at his best.

“Don't take anything away from New Zealand, but it shows me that India are very tired,” Clarke said in the Around the Wicket podcast. “Some of their shot selection, their use of bowlers and even Rohit saying that He was not performing at his best – it just seems like it was mental fatigue. He has played so much cricket without a break, but it will be a bit of a shock for him.”

You will see the best performance of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma – Michael Clarke
Michael Clarke is confident about India's chances against Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He said that “refreshed” Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will give their best performance. Clarke predicted that the pair would return to their prime with experience, talent and confidence.

Clarke said, “They know they have played well in Australia and they will still come here with a lot of talent and confidence, but hopefully they will be fresh. That is what is important for the Indian players.” Can't remain this good for long. So once he gets fresh, he will play well and we will see the best performance from Rohit Sharma also.”

The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 will start from November 22. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were seen struggling during India's home Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. Rohit scored only 133 runs in 10 innings, while Kohli added 192 runs in the same number of innings. Between them, the senior Indian batsmen scored only two half-centuries in five Tests. The five-match Test series between India and Australia will start on November 22 in Perth. Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney will host the remaining four Test matches of the series. It is noteworthy that the Indian cricket team had won the last two Test series in Australia by a margin of 2-1.