AUS v IND 2018-19: Sunil Gavaskar says India may have to look beyond Virat Kohli if they lose in Australia

Gavaskar is asking for a big change at the top level; captain and coach, if India fails to defeat Australia.

Sunil Gavaskar | GETTY

Sunil Gavaskar feels it's time for Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take a harsh call on coach Ravi Shastri and skipper Virat Kohli if they fail to win India the Test series against Australia.

Gavaskar said someone has to come forward and take responsibility if India cannot perform well against a relatively weaker Australian side.

“We will know that [the difference between Kohli as captain and batsman] as we go forward. The Australia series is a good opportunity. If India don’t win the Test series, then we need to think what needs to change, change from the top. If we win, then it’s a different case, altogether,” Gavaskar said at Agenda Aaj Tak in New Delhi.

“Because of the decision to field first in the Champions Trophy final, the omissions, and selections in South Africa, the omissions and selections in England, and the selections and omissions in Australia. Someone has to take responsibility for all these decisions. Someone has to be held accountable,” he added.

Kohli's decisions as a captain have come under scrutiny many times. He has often goofed up with his picks for playing XI. 

“They have to look at the combination of their team, look at the hole that needs to be plugged and pick the men to. If they do that then they can certainly win the next two matches but if they don’t, and that too against this Australian team which does not have Steve Smith or David Warner, then the selectors need to think whether we are getting any benefit from this lot - the captain, coach and support staff,” Gavaskar said.

“We have been seeing this - the selection blunders that have been committed since the tour of South Africa. It has cost the team because it has lost matches which could’ve been won if the proper selection had been made,” he added.

(With Inputs of Aaj Tak) 

 
 

By Sihyeu Singh - 22 Dec, 2018

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