Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma facing retirement calls after India humiliated before Australia tour

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are under enormous pressure to retain their positions in the Indian team ahead of the blockbuster series with Australia over the summer. Sharma suffered one of the most brutal losses in Indian cricket history with the host nation going down 3-0 to New Zealand.

New Zealand became the first team to win every game in a series against India at home since 1999. New Zealand also were the first team to win a series in India in 12 years. They did so without star batter Kane Williamson and fast bowler Trent Boult.

The series loss is a monumental concern for India with suggestions it is the greatest humiliation in the nation's proud cricket history. Cricket and Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar has even called for a change having suggested too much went wrong with the nation now set to visit Australia over the summer. But the form of star batters Kohli and Sharma is the biggest worry for the No.2 ranked Test outfit.

Kohli is considered one of the best batters of his generation, but his form across the last five years in red-ball cricket has dipped to worrying levels. In his last 12 innings, Kohli has made 250 runs at an average of 22.72. And this isn't even his lowest average in the last five years.

Could Virat Kohli be dropped for Australia Tests?

Despite bouncing back to form in 2023 with an average of 55.91, Kohli has averaged below 30 in four of the last five years. In 2020, Kohli only managed 116 runs in six innings.

And there have been suggestions if India are serious, he might not make it to Australia. But he isn't the only Indian batter in woeful form. Sharma scored 91 runs across the six innings against New Zealand at home. Sharma has only scored 550 runs across his last 20 innings, which has included two centuries.

India's backlash to the series defeat has been swift with a number of fans calling for Kohli and Sharma to miss the Aussie tour to avoid a disaster. While it appears very unlikely both won't be in Australia in a few weeks, the form of both batters is vital if they are to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy. The Indian squad has already been named, which was labelled as 'arrogant' during the New Zealand series, with both Kohli and Sharma named. Although that does not mean they will play the entire series.

Sharma dropped a hint he might be available for the first Test in Perth against Australia after the New Zealand defeat. "Not sure whether I will be going, fingers crossed," Sharma said to reporters. While his absence was already suggested ahead of time, with Jasprit Bumrah expected to lead the side in Perth, his doubts have raised questions about his availability for the series. And the cricket world is questioning whether we will see Kohli and Sharma play the entire Australian series.

Virat Kohli facing huge Australia battle

Only last week, reporter Robbert Craddock had already suggested Kohli's time in red-ball cricket might be coming to an end. Craddock was asked if Kohli was hoping for "one more great series in Australia" to finish his career. And Craddock feels Kohli may struggle in Australian conditions this summer with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood ready to tear into the 'vulnerable' Indian attack. This could determine how much longer Kohli decides to play this form of the game.

"I am just wondering if there is just one last squeeze of the lemon for Kohli in Australia. I don't think there is. I think he has played so much cricket he is a fading force....I reckon his eye is going." Australia are also facing pressure to win back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy this summer with India winning the last two series. David Warner's absence at the top of the order also means Australia are facing a huge selection call on who will open with Usman Khawaja throughout the series.