Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has criticized the media over skipper Rohit Sharma’s delivery during the fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney. The 43-year-old suggested that the media should have avoided unnecessary speculation and dealt with it more sensibly.
The comments came amid reports of differences between Gambhir and Rohit over the selection of the playing XI. The reports also suggested that the players did not follow the team management’s plans during the fourth Test in Melbourne.
Gambhir told reporters at the post-match press conference (via Indian Express):
“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, and not even a captain, a leader made this decision before his team, then I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. So a lot of things have been said and a lot of things have been said….”
With much talk in the media, Rohit Sharma broke his silence on whether he was playing his last Test in Melbourne.
“There are very honest players in our dressing room” – Gautam Gambhir backs Rohit Sharma’s decision to vacate his place in playing XI ahead of 5th Test
Gautam Gambhir also defended skipper Rohit Sharma for dropping out of the playing XI for the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney. He indirectly selflessly called out Rohit for leaving his seat to accommodate an in-form player for the sake of the team, with the series hanging in the balance.
The comments came even as Rohit scored just 31 runs in his five innings at a disappointing average of 6.2. The 37-year-old scored 164 runs in his last 15 innings at an average of 10.93, including a single half-century.
Gambhir told reporters during the same interaction:
“At the end of the day, the international team is not there, the most important thing is the team and the most important thing is the country. Every individual knows that their play and their hard work are the most important things in any sport or profession.”
“Because at the end of the day it is neither my team nor your team, it is the country’s team. “I believe that, as I said, there are very honest players in our dressing room who know how hungry they are and whether the team can move forward with their contribution,” he added.
Gambhir added that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will not get special treatment due to their status in the team.
“But yes, to my question, my biggest responsibility is to be honest with everyone on the team. Not just one or two individuals. If I am honest with only two or three individuals and not with others, then I am dishonest with myself.”
However, the Men in Blue lost the 2024-25 BGT series 1-3. This was their second consecutive series loss after a 0-3 thrashing during the home series in New Zealand.
Edited by Samya Majumdar