Questions have risen over the international futures of regular captain Rohit Sharma and talismanic Virat Kohli after India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1, but head coach Gautam Gambhir said he was optimistic that whatever the senior duo plans would be in the best interest of the country.
In five Tests, Kohli managed to make only 190 runs, and was dismissed eight times while chasing balls outside off-stump. Rohit, on the other hand, missed the Perth Test because of the birth of his second child, but managed only 31 runs in three Tests, before standing himself down from playing the fifth Test in Sydney, which India lost by six wickets on Sunday and be out of reckoning for a spot in the 2025 World Test Championship final.
“I can't talk about the future of any player. It is up to them as well. But yes, what I can say is that they still have the hunger and passion, they are tough people. Hopefully they can continue to take Indian cricket forward. But ultimately, as we all know, that whatever they plan, it will be for the best interest of Indian cricket,” said Gambhir to reporters at the end of the series.
He also showed appreciation towards Rohit’s decision to opt out of Sydney Test owing to poor form, which came after tons of speculation over unrest in dressing room. “I would like to say that so many reports have been written and so many things have been said. At least, we can be a little more sensible in that regard.
“If a captain, not even a captain, if a leader has taken this decision ahead of his team, then I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. So, a lot of things have been said on it. Ultimately, the individuals are sitting there, but the most important thing is the team and the most important thing is the country.
“So, I believe that the rest of the people, whether they are starting from me or other players, everyone should keep the team ahead as compared to their individual interests, and Rohit Sharma has shown that. We were talking about accountability, and that starts from the top and Rohit Sharma started that in the last match.”
With India’s next international assignment being a five-match T20I series against England, starting on January 22 in Kolkata, there is a slight opening for players not part of the set-up in the shortest format to play the final two Ranji Trophy league rounds.
Rohit and Kohli retired from T20Is after 2024 T20 World Cup win, while someone like KL Rahul hasn’t been a part of the set-up for two years. “I would always like everyone to play domestic cricket. That is how much importance domestic cricket needs to be given, and not only one game.
“If they are available, and they have the commitment to play red ball cricket, everyone should play domestic cricket. It’s as simple as it can get. If you don't give importance to domestic cricket, you will never get the desired players, and what you want in Test cricket,” added Gambhir.
The series defeat in Australia comes on the back of India losing 3-0 in New Zealand at home, making the long-awaited transition in the team imminent. Gambhir signed off by saying it’s too early to talk about the transition, considering the series against Australia just now got over.
“Look, it is 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 is not the right moment for me to talk about it. Where are we going to be after five months? A lot of things change in sport.
“Form, people and attitude changes; everything changes in sport. We all know that five months is a long time. So let's see before the England series that what is going to happen. But whatever will happen, will happen for the best interest of Indian cricket.”
India off to winning start at Asian U-15 & U-17 Boxing C'ships in Jordan
India began its campaign at the Asian U-15 & U-17 Boxing Championships with two commanding wins on opening day as Hardik Dahiya (43kg) and Rudraksh Singh (46kg) started off with commanding wins in the preliminary round.
Sr Men’s Nationals: J & K, Chattisgarh in Division C; Chandigarh, Uttarakhand in Division B secure victories on day 4
Hockey Jammu & Kashmir, Chhattisgarh Hockey and Hockey Association of Bihar enjoyed victories in Division C while Hockey Chandigarh and Hockey Uttarakhand won in Division B on the fourth day of the 15th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2025 in Jhansi.
Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning side gave birth to T20 cricket, says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that he believes Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning side with their aggressive and unique style of batting gave birth to T20 cricket.
IPL 2025: There is a trust factor of relying on each other, says Kohli on bond with Rohit
Talismanic batter Virat Kohli spoke about his bond with his long-time teammate and India skipper Rohit Sharma, saying that there’s always been a trust factor between them as they have relied on each other to do the job of winning matches for the team.
Rohit-Kohli to retain A+ BCCI contracts, Iyer to return but Kishan may remain out: Sources
Indian batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are all set to retain their A+ grade contract, which is worth Rs 7 crore in the BCCI's annual player contracts.
Champions Trophy: Spinners, Rohit and Rahul carry unbeaten India to third title win
India's spinners called the shots majorly to pick five wickets collectively on a sluggish pitch, while captain Rohit Sharma top-scored with 76 and KL Rahul stayed calm to hit an unbeaten 34 to give the Men in Blue their third Champions Trophy triumph with a four-wicket win over New Zealand here on Sunday.
Champions Trophy: Kane Williamson to not field in India's chase after picking quad strain
New Zealand’s premier batter Kane Williamson will not be fielding in India's chase of 252 in the ongoing ICC 2025 Champions Trophy final after suffering a quad strain while batting in the first innings at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
Champions Trophy: Spinners pick five wickets as India restrict New Zealand to 251/7
India’s spinners called the shots yet again on a slow pitch with just two degrees of turn as they restricted New Zealand to 251/7 in their 50 overs in the 2025 Champions Trophy final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.