Gautam Gambhir has lent his unequivocal support to the senior batting stalwarts, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, as the Indian cricket team prepares for the upcoming five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia. This series carries heightened significance, particularly in the context of qualification for the World Test Championship final, following India’s unexpected 3-0 defeat to New Zealand on home soil. The recent underwhelming performances of both players have sparked discussions regarding their form, especially after they managed just one half-century each over a combined total of ten innings against New Zealand and Bangladesh during the current home season. In that span, Rohit mustered only 133 runs, with his best score being just 25, leading to a disappointing average of 13.30. Kohli, on the other hand, fared slightly better with 192 runs in those same innings but maintained an average of 21.33.
This home Test series defeat marked several milestones for India; it was the first time in 12 years that India suffered a series loss at home and the first time ever they were whitewashed 3-0 on home grounds. Such circumstances have understandably fostered a wave of scrutiny and concern regarding the batting capabilities of these senior players. However, Gambhir dismissed these concerns emphatically during a recent press conference, stating that he does not harbor any worries regarding the form of Rohit and Kohli. He asserted that both players are resilient individuals who have significantly contributed to Indian cricket’s success and will likely continue to do so in the future. Gambhir emphasized that it is crucial for this duo to remain hard-working and passionate, highlighting that their sustained hunger for success within the dressing room is essential for the team's progress, especially in light of the recent setbacks.
The conversations around Kohli's performance have intensified, especially when contrasted with Rohit, who began the year by scoring two Test centuries against England in Rajkot and Dharamsala. Kohli, having missed that entire series against England, has not registered a Test century in the past 16 months, with his last one dating back to the West Indies series. Over the past five-year span, Kohli’s batting statistics reflect a notable decline, achieving only two Test hundreds from 60 innings, with an overall average dropping to just below 32. This decline has resulted in his overall Test average slipping from nearly 55 in November 2019 to 47.83.
As both players approach the twilight of their careers, given that Kohli is 36 and Rohit is 37, discussions surrounding the inevitable evolution of the Indian Test team have gained traction. Alongside them, senior players such as R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, aged 38 and 35 respectively, have further fueled these conversations surrounding the generational transition within the squad. In response to inquiries about this transitional phase, Gambhir, now in a coaching capacity, expressed that he prefers to focus on the immediate challenge of the upcoming Test matches against Australia, rather than the team's evolution. He reiterated the wealth of experience and mental fortitude prevalent in the dressing room, asserting that the players are still motivated to achieve significant milestones for the national team. For Gambhir, a continued hunger for success exists among the players, which serves as a fundamental prerequisite for any successful run.
Looking at the performance against New Zealand, Gambhir did not shy away from recognizing that the team had been outplayed in all facets of the game. He remarked that New Zealand displayed a higher level of professionalism and accepted that the criticism faced is deserved. However, he noted that the team is committed to continuous improvement and is not dwelling on past failures. Reflecting on recent performances, he pointed out that prior to the New Zealand defeat, the team had shown remarkable resilience during a Test series against Bangladesh.
As the team gears up for the challenging conditions in Australia, Gambhir stressed the importance of adequate preparation leading up to the series. He mentioned that the next ten days are crucial for the team's readiness, attributing great value to the experience of players who have previously encountered Australian conditions. Their insights and experiences can serve as a guiding beacon for younger players, further enhancing the team's ability to adapt to the challenges ahead.
The first Test match is set to commence on the morning of the 22nd, and Gambhir's emphasis on thorough preparation indicates a strategic focus aimed at ensuring the team is fully equipped to compete from the very first ball. As the team seeks to regain momentum in a challenging landscape, the coming series in Australia is projected as a pivotal opportunity for revitalization and increased competitiveness on the global stage.