New Zealand defeat inspires Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to regroup for BGT 2024-25: ‘Time to reset and come back stronger’

The disappointing 0-3 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand has raised doubts about the Indian team's capabilities heading into the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Once considered unbeatable on home soil, the Asian Giants were thoroughly outplayed by the Kiwis, who achieved their first-ever Test series victory in India with a remarkable clean sweep. The vaunted Indian batting lineup, featuring stars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, struggled to cope with the relentless spin bowling of New Zealand, leading to their underwhelming performances throughout the series. The Kiwi spinners proved to be the difference-makers, spinning a web around the Indian batsmen and making history in the process. Kohli and Sharma, in particular, have come under scrutiny for their lackluster displays in the series.

However, former Australia captain Michael Clarke suggested that it was more of mental fatigue, which led the Indian team down, which also reflected their shot selection.

"Take nothing away from New Zealand but It tells me India are so fatigued. Some of their shot selection, the use of bowlers and even Rohit to come out and say he wasn't at his best - just Think it was mental fatigue. They've played so much cricket without a break, but it'll be a little kick up the backside for them," Clarke said in Around the Wicket Podcast.

Kohli and Rohit have concluded extremely underwhelming home season consisting of series against Bangladesh and Kiwis which does not serve as a good sign for the team ahead of the high-profile BGT series.

In the five home Tests, Rohit has scored 133 runs at an average of just 13.30, with a half-century in 10 innings. His scores this home season were 6, 5, 23, 8, 2, 52, 0, 8, 18 and 11.

On the other hand, Kohli managed to get 192 runs in 10 innings at an average of 21.33, with just one fifty. He struggled against the spinners and registered strings of low scores: 6, 17. 47, 29*, 0, 70, 1, 17, 4 and 1.

However, Clarke asserted that the star Indian duo would get back to their best if they arrived in Australia after freshening up.

"They know they've played well out here in Australia and they'll still come here with plenty of talent and that self-belief, but hopefully fresh. That's the key for the Indian players. Virat Kohli - you can't be that good for such a long period of time and just turn the tap off. So once he freshens up, and Rohit Sharma the same, you'll see the best of them," he added.