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Xtra Time Web Desk: As India gears up for the much-anticipated five-match Test series against Australia starting November 22, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes the team should avoid focusing on a 4-0 whitewash. With a dominant series win being crucial for India's chances to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, Manjrekar advised a step-by-step approach, highlighting the formidable challenge posed by the first two Tests in Perth and Adelaide.

Manjrekar emphasized the significance of senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma stepping up in this series, particularly in the absence of Mohammed Shami, a key figure in India's bowling lineup over the past few years. "4-0, a distant dream, just take one step at a time, and the first couple of steps, which is Perth and the next one in Adelaide, are going to be India's toughest tests. We need Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, one of them, to have a great series," Manjrekar shared on Star Sports.

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The spotlight will be on Kohli and Rohit as they look to regain form after a lackluster year. Kohli has managed just 250 runs in six Tests this year, with an average of 22.72, while Rohit has accumulated 588 runs from 11 Tests at an average of 29.40. Notably, Rohit struggled in the recent home series, scoring only 133 runs in five matches at a low average of 13.30.

Despite the recent dip, Kohli's impressive track record in Australia, where he averages 54.08, gives India hope. As the team aims to secure a hat-trick of series wins in Australia, Kohli's experience and performance could play a pivotal role in keeping India's WTC final aspirations alive.

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