"It's very important to play 25-30 balls" - Abhishek Nayar on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's poor form in BGT 2024-25

Team India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar reckons that senior batter Virat Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma can regain form if they play 25-30 balls. He stated that once a player gets a start, his game looks different.

Both Kohli and Rohit struggled in the three-match Test series at home against New Zealand, which the hosts lost 3-0. While the former scored 93 runs from six innings, the latter scored 91. Kohli did notch up a hundred in the second innings of the first Test in Perth but has looked out of sorts otherwise. On the other hand, the Indian captain has the highest score of 10 from three innings.

Speaking after Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia in Melbourne on Thursday, December 26, Nayar admitted that both Rohit and Kohli need to spend some time at the crease. Team India's assistant coach stated (as quoted by ESPNcricinfo):

"I always believe that it's about confidence and a start. Once a player gets a start, their game looks different. So, I think Virat and Rohit are both such players. If they can play 25-30 balls, then you will see the same Virat and Rohit that you see earlier. But, this is a game of confidence. So, no matter how much you practice, no matter how much you talk, in the end, when you get into the match, it's very important to play 20-25-30 balls."

There will be additional responsibility on the senior duo to deliver the goods, with India having left out Shubman Gill from the playing XI at the MCG in favor of bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar.

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"It took a lot of character for our bowlers to stick in there" - Abhishek Nayar on Sam Konstas' debut knock on Day 1 of 4th BGT 2024-25 Test

Batting first, Australia got off to a great start on Day 1 at the MCG as debutant Sam Konstas smashed 60 off 65 balls, with the aid of six fours and two sixes. The 19-year-old took on Jasprit Bumrah as the Aussies dominated the opening session. Nayar admitted that Konstas put them under pressure, but also praised India's bowlers for making a strong comeback. Nayar commented:

"Well, I think a lot of credit to, you know, the way Sam played. I felt, you know, the intent that he showed in the first four sort of put us in the back foot. I felt it took a lot of character for our bowlers to stick in there. It wasn't the best, I mean, the easiest conditions to bowl, we felt the conditions are good to bat on and at times like that, sometimes it's important to stick to your guns, stick to the plans."

At stumps on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test, Australia were 311-6 after 86 overs. Steve Smith was unbeaten on 68 and skipper Pat Cummins on eight.