Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Troubled In Nets (Source: AFP Photos)
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were seen practising in the nets ahead of India vs New Zealand 1st ODI, scheduled for Wednesday (November 4) at Eden Park, Auckland. However, they faced a stern test in training, courtesy of fiery bowling from Auqib Nabi.
Nabi, originally picked for the fourth and fifth ODIs between India and New Zealand, was added to the India squad on Saturday for the first three ODIs against New Zealand as well. He was in the mood straightaway, and Kohli and Rohit had to face the heat, as reported by the Times of India (TOI).
In-Form Auqib Nabi Maintains Purple Patch Vs Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma
Nabi was in action during India A’s first unofficial Test against New Zealand A at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln. He took 3/69 in the first innings and 3/28 in the second. More significantly, five of his six wickets were New Zealand A’s specialist batters.
And then, with Prasidh Krishna being ruled out, the BCCI had no choice but to add a cover for India vs New Zealand ODIs. And Nabi kept on doing wonders in New Zealand.
"Nabi, in particular, used the breeze to his advantage, getting nice shape going away from the two right-handers and kept flirting with the outside edges of Rohit and Kohli," a TOI report read.
Kohli, Rohit Get 5 ODIs In New Zealand To Strengthen World Cup 2027 Claims
Two of India’s very best in white-ball cricket, Virat Kohli and Rohit, are now approaching the 40s. More importantly, they now only play ODIs, having already retired from Tests and T20Is.
Therefore, unless they are in a rich vein of form, the BCCI might not include them in India’s squad for the 2027 World Cup, despite their illustrious careers. They will have five ODIs between November 4 and November 15 to tell the world they are not finished yet.
If things go south, the likes of Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Devdutt Padikkal or even Vaibhav Sooryavanshi might be picked for the highly-anticipated World Cup 2027 audition out of nowhere, with Shubman Gill being the captain.
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