Former Indian cricket team head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Virat Kohli will play for a few more years but said the Indian captain should accept Rohit Sharma. The two star batsmen have not performed well in the ongoing Test series against Australia and their poor form has drawn a lot of criticism from both fans and experts. On the fifth day of the fourth Test in Melbourne, commentator Mark Nicholas Shastri asked Star Sports if he thought this was the end for Virat and Rohit. “I think Virat will play for a while. Forget how he left. I think he can play for three or four more years. As far as Rohit is concerned, it is a decision. The footwork is different, I feel like he may be slow to keep up with the ball at times, so it will be his decision at the end of the series.

Rohit Sharma's excellent defensive approach and Virat Kohli's endless tale of off-field failures will help Australia set a challenging 340-run target on day five of the fourth Test against the visitors, with the team reeling at 3-33 at midday. Rohit (9 off 40 balls) gave his all in the first hour until opposition captain Pat Cummins (2/10) claimed his 10th Test match win. Kohli (5 off 29) couldn't resist the urge to play another cover drive and was caught at first slip after Mitchell Starc pushed him into a corner. After receiving his second good ball of the game, Rahul was out without troubling the scorers. Yashasavi Jaiswal, who didn't look at all convincing, survived 83 deliveries and scored 14 runs by lunch.

Team India's approach also reflected their attitude as their slim chances of victory faded in the morning session. Shortly after the start of the fifth day, Jasprit Bummar took his 13th five-wicket haul in Test cricket as Australia were bowled out for 234 in their second essay. One would have expected Rohit to play with his usual aggression at the top, but his attempt to play it safe during his lean run backfired. On the other hand, even Jaiswar suppressed his natural instincts. He grabbed one from Pat Cummins, but when he sent a leading edge attack to Mitchell Marsh in the gully, he brought it down and grabbed a shadow behind it. Cummins then produced another delivery late on which Rahul was able to eat.