 "Gautam Gambhir Press Conference: India head coach speaks on Rohit, Kohli's future, dissects where things went wrong in BGT")
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 brought an end to India’s World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle as they failed to qualify for the final after losing the five-match series 3-1 to Australia. India needed to win the Sydney Test to have any chance of qualifying for the WTC final but suffered a six-wicket loss in the absence of out-of-form Rohit Sharma who "stood down" while Virat Kohli failed to inspire the visitors with his bat.
Rohit and Kohli’s prolonged poor form has raised questions over their future, but Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir feels it’s a decision for the duo to make.
On future of Rohit and Kohli with Team India…
“I can’t talk about the future of any player,” Gambhir said at the post-series press conference. “It’s up to them as well. But yes, what I can say is that they still have the hunger. They still have the passion. They’re tough people. And hopefully they can continue to take Indian cricket forward. But ultimately, as we all know, that whatever they plan, they will plan for the best interest of Indian cricket.”
After scoring just 31 runs in three matches, Rohit dropped himself ahead of the Sydney Test but in an interview, stressed that he was not going anywhere and his decision was a short-term call. Kohli, on the other hand, hit a hundred in the first Test at Perth but only added 90 more runs in the remaining eight innings, getting caught behind the wicket eight out of eight times.
Impact Shorts
View AllContinuing on the topic of what the future holds for two of India’s greatest batting stars, Gambhir hinted that he would not mind making a big call in the future if needed.
“First of all, every individual knows where their game and hunger is,” Gambhir said. “That’s the most important thing for any sport and any profession. It’s not just about the sport.
“It’s about how hungry you are, how passionate you are, and whether the team is moving forward with your contribution or not. Because ultimately, it’s neither my team, nor your team, it’s the country’s team. I believe, as I said, there are very honest players in our dressing room who know how hungry they are.
“But yes, as far as my question is concerned, my biggest responsibility is that I have to be fair to everyone in that room. Not only one or two individuals. If I’m fair to only two or three individuals, and not to everyone else, then I’m being dishonest to my job. So whether it’s a player who hasn’t debuted yet, or a player who has played 100 Test matches, my simple goal in my job is that I have to be absolutely fair and equal to everyone.”
Also Read | ‘Lots of issues to resolve,’ Irfan, Manjrekar reflect as India fail to qualify for WTC final
On investing in young players for future…
India’s next Test match will be against England in June 2025 and Gambhir was asked if it’s time for the team to invest in young players.
He replied: “Look, it’s too early to talk about it. The series has just got over. I think we still have five more months to plan where we want to head towards. But it’s not the right moment right now for me to talk about that. Where are we going to be after five months?
“A lot of things change in sport. Forms change. People change. Attitude change. Everything changes in sport. And we all know that five months is a long time. So, let’s see before the [England] series what’s going to happen. But whatever will happen, will happen for the best interest of Indian cricket.”
On importance of domestic cricket…
Gambhir stressed that players need to take part in domestic cricket when they are not part of the national team.
“I would always like everyone to play domestic cricket,” Gambhir added. “That is how much importance domestic cricket needs to be given. Not only one game. If they’re available and they have the commitment to play red-ball cricket, everyone should play domestic cricket. As simple as it can get.
“If you don’t give importance to domestic cricket, you will never get the desired players what you want in Test cricket.”
The Ranji Trophy resumes on 23 January and those who would not be part of the ODI and T20I series against England at home or the Champions Trophy 2025 can take part in the domestic red-ball competition.
Also Read | Let’s be real, India actually exceeded expectations against Australia
Gambhir dissects where things went wrong in BGT…
Talking about where things went wrong in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Gambhir said that India failed at capitalizing on the crucial moments and despite being in the ascendancy at the time, allowed Australia to come back and stamp their authority. He, however, refused to blame the batters for the series loss.
“We had our moments in this series where we could have won…the way we started this series, the pink ball Test match, and then we drew one match (in Gabba),” Gambhir said. “If you see that last session in Melbourne (Day 5), Australia would have been in much more pressure with the series locked at 1-1.
“There were moments in this match as well. We had taken a lead even after getting all out for 180-odd in the first innings. Had we batted well in the second innings and given a target of around 250-275, then things could have been different,” Gambhir added.
“I won’t blame any one department (batting or bowling). Overall, if we want to play well, we have to perform better in all the departments.”
Gambhir slams Australia for Konstas accusations…
Hitting back at Australia for accusations of "intimidating" Sam Konstas on Day 1 of the Sydney Test, Gambhir said cricket is a tough sport played by tough men.
“It’s a tough sport played by tough men. You can’t be that soft. As simple as it can get,” he said. “I don’t think there was anything intimidating about it. He had no right to be talking to Jasprit Bumrah when Usman Khawaja was taking time. He had no right.
“He had no business to be involved with Jasprit Bumrah, that was a job for the umpire.”
Gambhir also downplayed Kohli’s shoulder nudge to Konstas in the Boxing Day Test.
“Whatever happened, happened,” he said. “I don’t think we need to make a big issue out of it.
“It is not just incidents that have happened in this series. It has happened in the past as well. A lot of Australian players in the past have done it as well.”
This is the first time Australia have won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since winning the 2014-15 series at home.
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