Gautam Gambhir, India’s head coach, has delivered a hard-hitting message to senior players. In the aftermath of India’s 3-1 series defeat to Australia, Gambhir made it clear that stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli must show their commitment to red-ball cricket by playing in the Ranji Trophy.
Gambhir’s Clear Message: Play Domestic, Prove Your Commitment
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Gambhir was direct in his approach. “I would always like everyone to play domestic cricket, if they’re available. If you’ve commitment to play red-ball cricket, then play domestic,” he stated, leaving little room for interpretation.
Rohit and Kohli, despite their vast experience, haven’t regularly featured in the Ranji Trophy. Even Jasprit Bumrah hasn’t played much first-class cricket outside of international matches.
Underperforming Seniors Backed by Gambhir
Despite his call for more domestic appearances, Gambhir defended the senior players’ recent performances. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have faced criticism during the series, particularly after India’s failure to reach the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
“They are tough people with hunger. They’ll decide what is best for Indian cricket,” Gambhir added, expressing confidence in the players’ ability to bounce back.
India’s skipper Rohit Sharma has had a challenging period with the bat. His lean patch continued in the series, prompting him to sit out the final Test. Similarly, Kohli struggled throughout the series, falling to the same mode of dismissal eight times.
India Misses Out on WTC Final
For the first time in the competition’s history, India has failed to qualify for the World Test Championship final. Australia’s 3-1 victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy sealed their spot in the final, ending India’s hopes.
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The series loss marks a significant setback for India, who had reached the WTC finals in both 2021 and 2023. Despite playing 19 Tests in the current cycle, India could only manage nine wins, along with eight losses and two draws. The inconsistency ultimately cost them a spot at Lord’s.
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