Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir criticized the media for captain Rohit Sharma’s episode during the fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney. The 43-year-old suggested the media should have avoided unnecessary speculation and handled the matter more sensibly.
The comments came amid reports of differences between Gambhir and Rohit in selecting the playing XI. 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 sense. If a captain, not even a captain, if a leader has made this decision before his team, then I don’t think there is anything wrong with it. So, many things have been said and many things have been said…”
With a lot of talk in the media, Rohit Sharma broke his silence on whether he played his last Test in Melbourne.
‘There are very honest players in our dressing room’ – Gautam Gambhir backs Rohit Sharma’s decision to give up his place in the playing XI for the fifth Test
Gautam Gambhir also defended captain Rohit Sharma for moving away from the playing XI for the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney. He indirectly called Rohit disinterested in leaving his place to accommodate an in-form player in the best interest of the team with the series on the line.
The comments came even as Rohit managed just 31 runs in his five innings at a disappointing average of 6.2. The 37-year-old managed 164 runs in his last 15 innings at an average of 10.93, including a solitary half-century.
Gambhir told reporters during the same interaction:
“In the end, the international team does not stop there, the most important thing is the team and the most important thing is the country. “Every individual knows that their game and their hard work are the most important thing for any sport and any profession.”
“Because ultimately it’s not my team or yours, it’s the nation’s team. “I think that, as I said, there are very honest players in our locker 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 do not get special treatment due to their stature in the team.
“But yes, as far as my question goes, my biggest responsibility is to be fair to everyone on the team. Not just one or two individuals. If I am fair to only two or three people and not to others, then I am being dishonest to myself.”
The Men in Blue, however, lost the 2024-25 BGT series by a margin of 1-3. This was their second consecutive series loss following a 0-3 drubbing during the home series in New Zealand.
Edited by Samya Majumdar.