Guwahati: What will it take to fill the Barsapara stands on a sweltering Guwahati evening? The answer, perhaps, is the same two names that have dominated Indian cricket for well over a decade — Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.With the prospect of the two stalwarts playing what could be their last international game in India colours at this venue, the pull of the ‘Ro-Ko’ era is strong. But so is the heat. Guwahati has remained hot and humid through the past two weeks, leaving local fans with an unusual choice ahead of the day-night ODI: brave the oppressive conditions early, or wait for the evening and risk missing Kohli and Rohit if India bat first.The response around the city has been mixed. Some fans remain determined to be at Barsapara, but others have been tentative about spending the afternoon and early evening in the heat. And with six or so high-voltage matches, including IPL games, coming to Guwahati every year, the novelty of a big international has also worn off to an extent. Tickets starting at Rs 1,500 have added another consideration.Yet Kohli remains Kohli.He arrives in Guwahati after another hundred in the opening ODI against the Windies, his 55th in the format, and with a particularly happy association with Barsapara — he has scored centuries in both his previous ODIs at the ground and taken home the Player of the Match Awards.India spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule sees the 37-year-old continuing to evolve despite everything he has already achieved.“He is somebody who’s just getting better and better with each series and each game,” Bahutule said here on Tuesday. “He’s somebody who wants to improve in spite of achieving so much, which is fabulous.”West Indies batting coach Floyd Reifer was equally effusive after watching Kohli’s latest masterclass. “Listen, this guy is a legend. Very good batter. One of probably the best ODI batters in the world,” Reifer said.For Bahutule, though, Kohli’s value extends beyond the runs. His constant work on his game and fitness, he said, provides an example for the younger members of the squad.“Virat is somebody who’s constantly working on his game. He’s constantly working on his fitness levels,” Bahutule said. “I think that is very much inspiring not only to the players in the dressing room but a lot of players all over India.”And that may be the biggest attraction for Guwahati fans. The heat can be endured, the ticket price debated and the evening conditions negotiated. But the possibility of watching Kohli and Rohit together in India colours is the sort of pull that even Guwahati’s sweltering heat and humidity may struggle to defeat.
