Rohit Sharma, the captain of India, along with senior batter Virat Kohli, and head coach Gautam Gambhir, will apparently survive the series loss in Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy of 2024-25.
As per the report by IANS, it looks that Gambhir would remain as the head coach for the much-anticipated Champions Trophy in 2025, in addition to India’s next assignment in Tests, which is the five-match away tour of the England series in June. Rohit and Kohli, who have stood up to heavy critique because of below-par performance Down Under, should be seen in the England Tests.
It further stated that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is be conducting a review meeting for the tour but has not found Gambhir responsible for the debacle.
“Yes, there will be a review meeting but no firing. C’mon, you can’t sack a coach for the batters’ poor show in one series. Gautam Gambhir remains the coach, and Virat and Rohit will feature in the England series. The focus is Champions Trophy,” IANS quoted BCCI sources.
India pocketed the first Test after Australia staged a comeback and won three of the next four Tests to clinch the series. While Kohli managed to score a paltry 190 runs at an average of less than 40, especially because of only one fifty-plus score in five Tests, Rohit was even more disappointing with a total of 31 runs in five innings, even dropping himself from the last Test.
Towards the conclusion of the series, Gambhir was asked about further concerns into Virat and Rohit concerning their role in the side but he was evasive enough to let the experienced duo make their minds regarding their future.
“It is something I cannot comment on concerning the destiny of any player. However, it is as much up to them. It is, however, a different matter that they appear hungry and passionate; they seem tough people. Hopes remain that they will take Indian cricket further. But eventually, as we all know, whatever they plan, it will be for the best of Indian cricket,” Gambhir said.
But Gambhir was not spared by critics. They ripped into him for the team’s so-called dubious tactics, having build a side that was full of all-rounders that could only afford the best of helpful wickets than save either did run those wickets.
Out of ten Tests, he has won only three, the last two of which were against Bangladesh on a home turf. India have also failed to qualify for the prestigious final of the World Test Championship in all three cycles of its existence.
