India national team coach Gautam Gambhir He criticized the media over skipper Rohit Sharma's episode during the fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney. The 43-year-old suggested that the media should have avoided unnecessary speculation and handled it more rationally.
These statements came amid reports of differences between Gambhir and Rohit while selecting the starting XI. Reports also suggested that the players did not follow the team management's plans during the fourth Test in Melbourne.
Gambhir told reporters in the post-match press conference (via The Indian Express):
“I would say a lot of reports have been written and a lot of things have been said. At least, we can be more rational in this regard. If the captain, not even the captain, if the captain makes that decision before his team, I don't think there's anything wrong with So a lot of things were said and a lot of things were said…”
With so much 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 supports Rohit Sharma's decision to vacate his place in the playing XI for the 5th Test
Gautam Gambhir also defended skipper Rohit Sharma for sitting out of the playing XI for the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney. He indirectly described Rohit as selfless for leaving his place to accommodate an in-form player who is in the team's interest with the series on the line.
These statements came even as Rohit managed just 31 runs in his five innings at a disappointing average of 6.2. The 37-year-old has managed 164 runs in his last 15 innings at an average of 10.93, including a solo half-century.
Gambhir told reporters during the same interaction:
“In the end, the international team does not sit there, the most important thing is the team and the most important thing is the country. Everyone knows that their style of play and hard work are the most important things in any sport and any profession.”
“Because in the end, it's not my team, it's not your team, it's the nation's team. I think that, as I said, there are very honest players in our dressing room who know how hungry they are and whether the team is able to move forward with their contribution,” he added.
Gambhir added Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli They don't get special treatment because of their position on the team.
“But yes, regarding my question, my biggest responsibility is that I have to be fair to everyone in the team. Not just one or two people. If I am fair to only two or three people and not others, then I am being dishonest with myself.
However, The Men in Blue lost the 2024-25 BGT series by a 1-3 margin. It was their second loss in a row after losing 0-3 during the series at home in New Zealand.
Edited by Samia Majumdar
