Indian batting stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, came under the scanner for their below-par showing display in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Kohli began the marquee series with a second innings hundred (100*) at Perth, but he managed to amass only 90 runs in his other eight innings combined. On the other hand, Rohit managed just 31 runs in five innings at an abysmal average of 6.20 -- the lowest by a touring captain on Australian soil.
The subpar performances of the two senior players drew considerable criticism, sparking speculation about their future.
While the duo played a key role in India’s triumphant Champions Trophy campaign earlier this year, critics are still not in favour of their selection in the Test side.
With the England tour around the corner, head coach Gautam Gambhir has thrown his weight behind Kohli and Rohit, stating they “should be a part of the Indian team till they are performing".
India will play five Test matches on the tour of England, starting on June 20 in Leeds, and their squad for the marquee series will be announced in the coming days.
Speaking at the ABP News’ ‘India At 2047’ Summit, Gambhir said he has no role in deciding whether the two senior batters are picked for the upcoming England tour.
“First things first, a coach’s job isn’t selecting the team. It is the job of selectors to select. The coach only selects the 11 who will play a match. Neither those who coached before me were selectors, nor am I a selector," Gambhir said.
“Till the time they (Rohit and Kohli) are performing, they should be a part of the team. When you start and when you end is your individual decision.
“No coach, no selector, no BCCI can tell you when you should call it quits. If you perform, then why 40? You can jolly well play till 45; who’s stopping you?" he added.
While the head coach didn’t give a definitive answer on the duo’s Test future, he had a slightly more positive outlook on their ability to carry on till the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.
“That (playing 2027 ODI World Cup) will depend on their performance. Only that can ensure their selection. And what should I say about their performance? The world saw how they performed in CT."
Gambhir also slammed the concept of planned farewells, saying that no cricketer puts them on their bucket list.
“No sportsman plays cricket thinking about a grand farewell. Rather than farewell, we should try and remember how and in which situations they have won matches for the country," he remarked.
“Whether he gets a farewell or not isn’t important. If he has made a contribution for the country, that itself is a big enough farewell. Is there any bigger trophy than love from countrymen? Farewells don’t matter to cricketers."
