Gautam Gambhir opens up on Rohit, Kohli's future in Test cricket

Gambhir urges players to prioritise domestic cricket for Test success.

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Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has left the decision regarding the Test cricket futures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to the players themselves after India’s 3-1 series defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Speaking at a post-series press conference, Gambhir emphasised that both players are experienced enough to make decisions that align with the team's best interests.

“They are tough individuals with immense hunger for the game,” Gambhir said. “They’ll decide what is best for Indian cricket.”

The series proved challenging for India’s senior players. Kohli, who has been struggling with consistency, managed just one significant score—a century in Perth—while falling to deliveries outside the off-stump in eight of his other innings. Rohit fared worse, amassing only 31 runs across five innings before stepping down for the final Test in Sydney, citing his poor form and its potential impact on the team.

India’s performance under Gambhir and Rohit’s leadership has been far from ideal, with only three wins in their last ten Tests. This stretch includes a home series loss to New Zealand and an away defeat to Australia, raising concerns about the team's ability to rebuild ahead of the ICC World Test Championship.

With India’s next Test series not scheduled until June 2025, when they tour England for five matches, the team has a five-month window to plan its long-term red-ball strategy. Gambhir stressed the importance of focusing on the future but refrained from making any immediate judgments.

“A lot can change in five months – form, attitude, and strategy. Whatever happens, it’ll be in the best interest of Indian cricket,” he said.

Gambhir also hinted that younger players waiting in the wings might get a chance to step up. However, he reiterated the need for harmony and fairness in team selection, irrespective of a player’s seniority.

“My job is to be fair to everyone in the dressing room, whether it’s a debutant or someone with 100 matches. That’s the only way to maintain trust and integrity,” Gambhir said.

For players not involved in upcoming limited-overs assignments, Gambhir urged participation in the Ranji Trophy to reinforce their commitment to Test cricket. The domestic red-ball competition resumes on January 23 after a brief hiatus.

“If you don’t give importance to domestic cricket, you will never get the desired players for Test cricket,” Gambhir asserted. “Everyone should play if they’re available and committed to red-ball cricket.”

India now turns its attention to the T20I and ODI series against England at home in January-February, followed by their participation in the Champions Trophy in the UAE.

Meanwhile, Australia’s dominant performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy secured their place in the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s in June 2025. They will face South Africa, who qualified with a dramatic two-wicket win over Pakistan in the Boxing Day Test.