India's captain Rohit Sharma, right, and teammate Virat Kohli leave the field after their loss in the second cricket test match against Australia at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia. (AP)Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir didn’t comment the future on senior cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli but said the duo still has the “passion” and “hunger.”
“I can’t talk about the future of any player. It’s up to them as well,” he told reporters after India’s six-wicket loss to Australia in Sydney. India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1.
“What I can say is that they still have the hunger, they still have the passion, they are tough people.
“And hopefully they can continue to take it and bring it forward. But ultimately, as we all know, that whatever they plan, they will plan for the best.”
In nine innings of the five Test matches, Virat Kohli managed only 190 runs. The only big run that came from his bat was in the second innings of the first Test at Perth, where he remained unbeaten on 100. In the next seven innings, his highest score was 36.
India’s Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli wait for play to start on day three of the third Test between India and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia. (AP Photo)
Meanwhile, captain Rohit Sharma, who missed the Perth Test because of the birth of his second child, managed only 31 runs in three Tests, before he decided to opt out from the fifth Test in Sydney.
Coach Gambhir has praised Rohit’s act of stepping aside in the last Test.
“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 and a lot of things have been said.
“Ultimately, the international team is not sitting there, the most important thing is the team and the most important thing is the country,” said Gambhir.
On the future of the team, Gambhir said: “Every individual knows that his game and his hard work is the most important thing for any sport and any profession.”
India’s Jasprit Bumrah, center without cap, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of Australia’s Mitchell Marsh during play on day two of the third cricket test between India and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia, Sunday, Dec.15, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher)
It’s not just about the sport. It’s about how hungry you are, how passionate you are and whether the team is moving forward with your contribution or not.
“Because ultimately, it’s neither my team nor your team, it’s the nation’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.
“But yes, as far as my question is concerned, my biggest responsibility is that I have to be fair to everyone in the team.
“Not only one or two individuals. If I’m fair to only two or three individuals and not to others, then I’m being dishonest to myself.
“So, whether it’s the player who hasn’t debuted yet, or the player who has played 100 test matches, my simple goal is that I have to be absolutely fair and equal to everyone.”
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