"If you have commitment to red ball, play domestic cricket": Gambhir
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Sydney: India head coach Gautam Gambhir, on Sunday, emphasized that struggling stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli still possess the hunger to excel, but he urged senior players to demonstrate their commitment to red-ball cricket by participating in domestic games. Known for his forthright approach, Gambhir also refrained from offering any assurances about whether either player would be a part of the Test setup moving forward.
Both Rohit and Kohli had underwhelming performances during the recent Test series against Australia, which India lost 1-3, thereby relinquishing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and a spot in the World Test Championship final. Rohit scored 31 runs in five innings before dropping himself from the playing eleven, while Kohli managed 190 in nine knocks, including a second innings century after India had taken a lead of more than 300. A glaring failure for Kohli was his inability to avoid being dismissed on deliveries that were bowled outside the off stump.
When asked if he wanted seniors like Rohit and Kohli to play at least one round of the upcoming Ranji Trophy, which begins on January 23, Gambhir made it clear that he believes all players should prioritize domestic cricket. "If you have the commitment to red-ball cricket, you should play domestic cricket," Gambhir said, emphasizing the importance of playing multiple games in the domestic circuit. He explained that domestic cricket is essential to develop the players that the national team needs for Test cricket. Kohli, who last played a Ranji Trophy match in 2012, and Rohit, who participated in the 2015-16 season, have both long been absent from domestic red-ball cricket.
Gambhir also avoided engaging in the ongoing speculation about the future of the senior duo, asserting that they are the best judges of their own roles in Indian cricket. He reiterated that both players still have the passion and the drive to contribute to Indian cricket's success. He added that it is essential for any player to honestly assess their own game and their ability to contribute to the team's progress.
As head coach, Gambhir has expressed his commitment to maintaining fairness within the team. "I have to be fair to everyone, whether it's a debutant or a player with 100 Test matches," he said. Reflecting on his leadership experience with Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants, Gambhir stressed the importance of a happy and harmonious dressing room, a principle he intends to carry forward with the Indian team.
Gambhir also praised Rohit for opting out of the fifth Test due to poor form, calling it a demonstration of accountability from the captain. "Accountability starts from the top, and Rohit Sharma showed that in the last match," he remarked.
Finally, when asked if the team would acknowledge the mistakes made during the series, Gambhir was quick to take responsibility. "I am the first one to accept mistakes," he asserted.
With PTI inputs