Gautam Gambhir backs Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli to decide Test futures

Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir stated on Sunday that the decision about the Test careers of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli lies solely with them, praising their resilience and commitment to the game.  

Following India’s six-wicket loss to Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Gambhir expressed confidence in the duo's judgment.  

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

The coach also acknowledged Rohit’s efforts, despite India’s struggles in the series. “To maintain harmony in the dressing room, I must be honest and fair to everyone. Rohit Sharma demonstrated accountability at the top,” he added.  

India’s 3-1 series defeat marked Australia’s first Border-Gavaskar Trophy win since 2017.  

Rohit Sharma struggled with just 31 runs across five innings, while Virat Kohli’s only notable performance was an unbeaten century in Perth. Kohli’s inconsistency, particularly his repeated dismissals to deliveries outside off-stump, raised concerns despite attempts to adjust his technique.  

Rohit also faced criticism for poor form and the decision to replace KL Rahul as an opener in the fourth Test, which exposed India’s fragile batting lineup further.  

Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma and coaching of Gautam Gambhir, India’s Test record has been lackluster, with only one win in their last eight matches. This run includes a home series loss to New Zealand and an away defeat to Australia.  

As India faces a five-month gap before their next Test assignment and pressure mounts to rebuild the team, the spotlight is on younger players awaiting opportunities.  

Meanwhile, Australia’s comprehensive victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has secured their place in the ICC World Test Championship Final. They will face South Africa at Lord’s starting June 11, following South Africa’s thrilling two-wicket win over Pakistan in the Boxing Day Test.