It is easy to kick champions when they are down. Following India’s unprecedented 0-3 home series defeat to New Zealand, the knives have been out for veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Critics and fans alike have dissected their techniques, questioned their reflexes, and debated their futures. However, amidst the noise of criticism, a voice of reason has emerged from the very camp that inflicted the damage. Michael Bracewell, the New Zealand off-spinning all-rounder, has a simple message for anyone doubting the Indian stalwarts: writing them off is a dangerous game.
Class is Permanent
The recent whitewash on home soil was a bitter pill for Indian cricket fans to swallow. Runs dried up for the senior pros, and questions regarding their ability to handle pressure became the talk of the town. Yet, as the focus shifts to the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, Bracewell believes that past performance in subcontinent conditions offers little insight into what these giants can do Down Under.
Speaking to reporters, Bracewell was candid in his assessment. He emphasized that both Rohit and Virat have forged their reputations over nearly 15 years of dominance across all formats. "They are absolute legends of the game," Bracewell noted. He pointed out that a few lean patches do not erase a decade and a half of excellence. In his view, expecting them to fail in Australia just because they struggled against spin in India is a fundamental misunderstanding of their caliber. According to Bracewell, thinking that their international careers are winding down based on one bad series is, quite simply, "silly."
Different Conditions, Different Beasts
The transition from the turning tracks of India to the bouncy, pace-friendly surfaces of Australia changes the equation completely. Bracewell highlighted this crucial difference during his interaction with Lokmaha News. He suggested that the Australian conditions might actually suit the aggressive styles of Sharma and Kohli better than the slow turners they recently faced.
"They will just brush it off," Bracewell predicted, suggesting that the duo possesses the mental fortitude to compartmentalize the loss and focus entirely on the challenge ahead. The fast, true bounce of pitches in Perth or Melbourne often allows stroke-makers like Kohli and Rohit to express themselves more freely than on dust bowls where the ball grips and turns unpredictably.
The Danger of the Wounded Tiger
It is often said in sports that a wounded tiger is the most dangerous. Bracewell’s observations tap into this psychology. He admits that while New Zealand learned a lot about the Indian team during their historic win, counting on a repeat performance of Indian failure in Australia is foolish. The intense scrutiny currently surrounding the Indian team might be exactly the catalyst the senior players need to deliver a defining performance.
For Bracewell, the upcoming series isn’t just about form; it is about pedigree. These are players who have toured Australia multiple times and have been instrumental in previous historic victories there. As the cricketing world turns its eyes toward the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the debate over form versus class continues. But for Michael Bracewell and the New Zealand dressing room, the verdict is clear. Underestimate Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at your own peril.
