Gambhir Praises Kohli, Rohit for Their ‘Hunger’ and Commitment to Indian Cricket

Sydney : After India’s defeat to Australia in the fifth Test at Sydney on January 5, 2025, which saw Australia reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and secure a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, Indian coach Gautam Gambhir spoke on the future of senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Gambhir, during his press conference at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), expressed confidence in the hunger and passion of Kohli and Rohit, saying, “They are tough people with hunger, and whatever they plan will be in the best interest of Indian cricket.” Gambhir also added that the decision on their future would ultimately depend on the players themselves.

When asked about Rohit Sharma opting out of the fifth Test, Gambhir defended the captain’s decision, emphasizing accountability and leadership. “If a leader has made this decision, there’s no problem,” he remarked.

Reflecting on India’s series loss, Gambhir acknowledged the absence of Jasprit Bumrah but insisted that a strong team is never dependent on one individual. He highlighted key moments in the series where India could have done better, such as the crucial second innings in Sydney, where a target of 250-300 could have posed more problems for Australia.

Gambhir also drew positivity from the performances of younger players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Kumar, Washington Sundar, and Akash Deep, calling their contributions promising for Indian cricket’s future. He praised Mohammed Siraj for his relentless attitude and commitment, despite not being fully fit.

Finally, Gambhir reiterated the importance of domestic cricket, stating, “If you don’t give importance to domestic cricket, you will never get the players you want in Test cricket.”