Former Aussie great backs Rohit and Virat to continue playing for India

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, India's star batters who have earned the stature of being a few of the best players in international cricket, have recently faced lots of criticism following their poor outing in the longer format of the game. Both players failed miserably with the bat during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia.

Although Kohli did score a hundred in the second innings of the first test at Perth, the player just didn't follow up with the momentum and got out edging the ball in the rest of the series. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma looked underconfident and looked confused whether to attack or play defensively.

Things did turn around for both players in the ODI format as they made key contributions and guided Team India to its 3rd ICC Champions Trophy title, defeating New Zealand in the finals.

Ricky Ponting backs Rohit and Kohli to play further

Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has come in support of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as they continue to face questions on their future in the Indian cricket team.

Speaking to the Indian Express at the Idea Exchange Programme, Ponting said, "I have been on record about Virat to say, 'You can't write off quality players.' They are champions for a reason and always find a way to come good."

"At different times in the last couple of years, Virat has been able to do that when he is getting in a hole. He is a high-quality player and, maybe Rohit is a bit the same. Test cricket is the thing that is becoming harder for them right now. Rohit has made it clear he's going nowhere in the 50-over game. Virat is the best white-ball player I have ever seen. I will never write those guys off," he further added.