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Gautam Gambhir, the Indian head coach, has sent a strong message to the senior players. After India’s 3-1 loss to Australia, Gambhir made it clear that stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli must show their commitment to red-ball cricket by playing in the Ranji Trophy.
Gambhir’s clear message: play at home, show your commitment
In the post-match press conference, Gambhir was direct in his approach. “I would always like everyone to play domestic cricket if they are available. If you are committed to playing red-ball cricket, then play at home,” he said, leaving little room for interpretation.
Rohit and Kohli, despite their vast experience, have not featured regularly in the Ranji Trophy. Even Jasprit Bumrah hasn’t played much first-class cricket outside of international matches.
Gambhir-backed underperforming seniors
Despite his call for more domestic matches, Gambhir defended the recent performances of the senior players. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have faced criticism during the series, particularly after India failed to reach the final of the World Test Championship (WTC).
“They are tough, hungry people. They will decide what is best for Indian cricket,” Gambhir added, expressing confidence in the players’ ability to bounce back.
India captain Rohit Sharma has had a tough spell with the bat. His bad streak continued in the series, which led him to not participate in the final test. Similarly, Kohli struggled throughout the series, falling into the same dismissal mode eight times.
India misses WTC final
For the first time in the history of the competition, India failed to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship. Australia’s 3-1 victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy sealed their place in the final, ending India’s hopes.
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The series defeat marks a significant setback for India, which had reached the WTC final in both 2021 and 2023. Despite playing 19 Tests in the current cycle, India could only manage nine wins, along with eight losses and two ties. Inconsistency ultimately cost them a place at Lord’s.
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