Team India started the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 with a bang by winning the first Test match in Perth by 295 runs but lost three more Tests to lose the series by a margin of 3-1. Senior batters like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were dismal with the bat, and they have been struggling in the longest format of the game for quite a long time.
There have been criticism of the duo for not being part of and playing in domestic cricket for over a decade. In the post-match press conference, head coach Gautam Gambhir underlined the importance of domestic cricket and how he feels every Indian cricketer in the national team should play domestic cricket. He stated that if the players don’t grind in domestic cricket, the national team won’t get the cricketers suited for Test cricket.
“I would always like everyone to play domestic cricket. That’s how much importance domestic cricket needs to be given. Not only one game; if they are available and they have the commitment to play red-ball cricket, everyone should play domestic cricket as simply as it can get. If you don’t give importance to domestic cricket, you will never get the players you want in Test cricket,” Gambhir said.
Gautam Gambhir talked about the future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Test cricket
Rohit Sharma dropped himself from the playing XI in the final Test due to poor form, and Kohli has been getting out in the same fashion repeatedly. There have been calls made for the duo to hang their boots from red ball cricket. The fans and most of the analysts are of the opinion that it should be the end of the road for Kohli and Sharma in Test cricket.
Gambhir talked about the future of the legendary duo and stated they are tough people with a lot of hunger. He put his trust in the duo to make a decision based on the betterment of the national team.
“They are tough people with hunger; they’ll decide what is best for Indian cricket. To keep the dressing room happy, I have to be honest and fair to everyone,” Gambhir said.
