New Delhi: Head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed the speculations over the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Test cricket after India’s dismal 6-wicket defeat in the 5th Test saw Australia clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. With the victory, Australia clinched the series 3-1 and knocked India out of the race for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final.
Both Rohit and Kohli struggled throughout the series in what was a forgetful tour for the star Indian duo. Kohli started the series on a promising note with an unbeaten century in the series opener in Perth. However, his form fizzled out after the solid start as the star batter could only manage 82 runs in his next seven innings in the 4 Test matches against Australia.
Kohli constantly struggled with outside-off deliveries as the Australian bowlers continued to exploit his weakness in the channel of uncertainty to hand him one cheap dismissal after another. Rohit too was left exposed in the series, managing only 31 runs in three Tests before being left out of the playing XI for the must-win fifth Test in Sydney owing to his woeful form.
Asked about the future of the senior India duo, head coach Gambhir said both Kohli and Rohit still have hunger left in them and are ‘tough men’ who will take a call in the best interest of Indian cricket. Gambhir’s comments come a day after Rohit in an interview with the official broadcaster confirmed he has no intention of retiring from Test cricket anytime soon despite his horror outing in Australia.
“I can’t talk about the future of any player. It’s still up to them. They still have the hunger, they have the passion. They are tough people and hopefully, they can continue to take Indian cricket forward. But ultimately, whatever they plan, they will plan in the best interest of Indian cricket,” Gambhir said on the future of Kohli and Rohit for India in Tests.
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir opened up on the future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Test cricket after the visitors suffered a crushing 3-1 defeat against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
