New Delhi: Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir refused to confirm Rohit Sharma’s inclusion in the playing XI of the fifth Test against Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The Aussies are leading the five-match series by 2-1.
Team India won the first Test in Perth by 295 runs but Pat Cummins and Co. made a great comeback and won the second pink-ball Test by 10 wickets at the Adelaide Oval. The third Test of the series ended in a draw due to heavy rain in Brisbane while the hosts won the fourth Test in Melbourne by 184 runs.
On the eve of the Sydney Test, a journalist questioned Gautam Gambhir, asking why Indian captain Rohit Sharma had not attended the press conference, highlighting that it is a tradition in Test cricket. Gambhir replied and said that everything is fine and he don’t think it’s a tradition.
“The head coach is here. That should be fine, that should be good enough. I am going to have a look at the wicket and finalise it tomorrow” Gambhir said.
When asked if Rohit would feature in the playing XI for the fifth Test, Gambhir replied “As I just said, we are going to have a look at the wicket and announce the playing XI tomorrow”.
Many fans and cricket experts have questioned Rohit’s place in the team. He has only managed to score just 31 runs in the three Test matches and his tactics on the field also come under scrutiny. After the press conference, Gambhir had a lengthy discussion with Jasprit Bumrah while the rest of the team was doing warm-ups at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
‘Team first ideology matters’: India coach Gautam Gambhir
India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has addressed the controversy regarding the reports of leaked dressing room conversations during the Australia series and said that everything is fine and those are just reports, not the truth. He also said that honesty is very important and as a team they want to achieve great things.
“It’s a team game, and everyone understands this. Debates between a player and a coach should stay between them. Any conversations in the dressing room should stay in the dressing room” Gambhir said.
He further added that there is only one discussion in the dressing room and it’s team first ideology that matters. He also said that the focus is now to win the Sydney Test and he is extremely confident of the team putting on a brilliant performance in the last game of the series.
“There is only one tendency and there is only one discussion – it’s the team first ideology that matters. You need to play what the team needs. You can still play your natural game in a team sport but if the team needs you – you need to play in a certain way” he added.
When questioned about Rohit Sharma’s participation in the fifth Test against Australia, India coach Gautam Gambhir refused to confirm whether the captain would feature in the match. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
